Olathe Northwest defeats Olathe South, a first in program history

The Olathe Northwest football team is picking up all kinds of firsts with veteran coach Chip Sherman at the helm.

The Ravens are coming off the program’s first winning season and just added to the excitement with a 31-0 victory against Olathe South, the team’s first win over the Falcons.

“It was a big moment for the kids, a big moment for the community and for the school,” said Sherman, whose team improved to 3-1. “It was neat seeing the kids so happy.”

 Bo Steele led Olathe Northwest with a pair of first-half touchdowns. He scored the first on a 60-yard interception return and the second on a 38-yard reception from Easton Crupper. Teammate Elijah Roland scored his first varsity touchdown.

Schlagle 11, Sumner Academy 8

Schlagle linebacker Greg Sloan and the Stallions knew they had dug themselves a hole in the second quarter when they gave up a one-possession lead.

When the time came, though, Schlagle pushed into another gear with a field goal by David Chacon and an interception by Dominique Sanders to defeat Sumner Academy 11-8 in overtime on the road. Schlagle’s Jermonto Adams connected with Ernest Taylor for the first-quarter touchdown and the defense scored a safety.

“I liked it. It was fun,” Sloan said. “It was scary for a moment, but it was a good game.”

Schlagle improved to 3-1 and has a 2-0 record in the Kansas City Atchison League.

Osawatomie 47, Iola 26

Despite battling lingering knee inflammation, Osawatomie’s Riley England turned in his best rushing performance of the season in a 47-26 victory against Iola.

England, a senior running back, rushed for 487 yards and six touchdowns in 18 carries. That included three runs of 80-plus yards and put him right at 1,000 rushing yards for the season.

“I’ve coached running backs in Florida, but there is something about this kid because his feet are amazing,” Osawatomie assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Nate Seidl said. “You can’t get a clean shot on him. Linebackers try to square him up, but they just can’t.”

Bishop Miege 41, St. Thomas Aquinas 21

Although it was close early, Bishop Miege blew the game open in the second quarter with an impressive passing offense and the running ability of running back Dawson Downing.

Bishop Miege moved the ball up and down the field in fluid motion for much of the night. Still, having Downing back from a hand injury made a massive difference near the goal line.

“It was slow to get back into it, but coming out here tonight felt great,” Downing said.“I just had to go with what I’ve done in the past and use that to get me through it.”

Downing finished with more than 150 rushing yards, along with three touchdowns.

Bishop Miege quarterback Carter Putz efficiently moved the Stags in their up-tempo offense. He finished with 269 yards passing and two touchdowns. With less than 10 seconds left in the first half and after evading a few rushers, Putz rolled right and hit a leaping Jafar Armstrong in the end zone. That score increased Miege’s lead to 34-7.

“I believe they are all great in their own ability,” Putz said of his wide receivers. “It’s pretty easy to find them out there.”

Miege also made some big special teams plays, including a scoop and score off a blocked punt by Joe Watskey in the first half.

“I’m so proud of our defense,” Bishop Miege coach Jon Holmes said. “We challenged them all week and they did a great job in the first half.”

St. Thomas Aquinas’ James Cosentino finished with a game-high 165 rushing yards and is still a bit hampered from a broken leg suffered last season.

“He’s still 80 percent,” Aquinas coach Randy Dreiling said of Cosentino. “He’s battling, trying to get his muscles back in shape. We’re fortunate to have him back.”

Miege now is looking ahead and taking aim on the Eastern Kansas League title.

“This conference is tough and we’re banged up and our kids want to finish the league with one loss now,” Holmes said. “That’s what we’re trying to do.”

This story was originally published September 25, 2015 at 11:48 PM with the headline "Olathe Northwest defeats Olathe South, a first in program history."