Blue Valley North football headed back to state-title game with win over Olathe North

Less than a yard — less, really — proved crucial in Friday night’s high school football playoff game between Blue Valley North and Olathe North.

With the winner assured a berth in the Kansas Class 6A state final, the home crowd at Olathe District Activity Center cheered as the Eagles’ Aquantez Love barreled toward the end zone in the third quarter. It was an easy running play that seemingly would give Olathe North a 21-10 lead.

But Mustangs junior Dasan McCullough had different plans. The defensive back met Love at the goal line, popping the ball loose. The Mustangs recovered it in their own end zone, and less than two minutes later Blue Valley North surged ahead 17-14.

The play made all the difference as Blue Valley North went on to defeat Olathe North 30-20 and advance to the 6A state championship game — the Mustangs’ third title-game appearance in four years.

“That’s huge. That’s what you’ve got to do. It’s the name of the game: takeaways,” BV North coach Andy Sims said. “And you’ve got to hang on to the ball.”

The Mustangs scored 24 straight points after falling behind 14-0.

“That’s just how we’ve played all year. Never get down and just always keep fighting whether we’re up or behind,” BV North quarterback Henry Martin said.

Martin led the charge with four touchdowns. His first TD pass came on a 13-yard inside slant to Cole Stratton that brought the Mustangs within striking distance at 14-10 just before halftime.

His second and third touchdowns silenced the home crowd.

Less than two minutes after Blue Valley North recovered the fumble in its own end zone, Martin found junior Lucas Bullock over the top for a 66-yard strike.

He then put the game away by connecting with running back Mekhi Miller on a fourth-and-12 play; Miller broke a tackle on his way to that 35-yard score.

“That opportunity called for a play to our best player, which is Mekhi Miller on that offense, and he came through — and that’s what playmakers do,” Sims said.

The Eagles didn’t go down out without a fight. Quarterback Noah Palmer finished with a passing TD plus one on the ground — and even picked off a pass on defense — but Blue Valley North effectively shut down the Olathe North offense after halftime.

Olathe North managed just six second-half points — a 2-yard rushing TD by Jacob Parrish late in the game.

“It feels great,” Martin said. “This is the first time we’ve done it when I’m the starting quarterback, and it just feels great.”

Blue Valley North will face two-time defending state champion Derby in the finale on Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. at Olathe’s College Boulevard Activity Center. The game will be a rematch of the 2017 and 2018 6A state championship games — BV North won the first, 49-42, Derby the second, 24-16.

“I’m so proud of this team and so proud of this program,” Martin said. “Three state championship (appearances) in four years is just awesome.

“It really says a lot about the coaches. Coach Sims is the best coach in the state, without a doubt.”

This story was originally published November 20, 2020 at 11:18 PM.