SM East, Olathe North will face off in football rematch of last year’s playoff instant classic

Shawnee Mission East and Olathe North will battle in football tonight in a rematch of a playoff game that last year was judged by The Star’s staff as the No. 4 biggest high school story of the 2014-2015 school year.

SM East won last year’s 36-35 double-overtime state semifinal game between the two undefeated teams with a two-point conversion. The Lancers went on to win the Kansas Class 6A state title.

Tonight, in a Kansas state quarterfinal playoff game, Olathe North wouldn’t mind another classic label, but the Eagles want to be the team celebrating when the teams walk off the field.

“We fell just a little bit short and it was one or two mistakes that ended up making the difference,” Olathe North coach Chris McCartney said of last year’s game. “Hopefully, we eliminate all the mistakes because that is all it takes against that kind of offense.”

Olathe North made it to Week 8 this season before suffering its first loss, a 31-28 setback to undefeated Lawrence. The Eagles are led by Vinnie Shabazz, Matt Wright and Isaiah Simmons, who were each involved in two touchdowns last week in a 35-28 victory against Blue Valley North.

SM East has won five straight games since losing to Lawrence Free State. Wyatt Edmisten, who scored the final touchdown in last year’s thriller against Olathe North, scored four touchdowns last week against Blue Valley Northwest and rushed for 175 yards. SM East has held six of its 10 opponents to 14 or fewer points this season.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 6:41 PM with the headline "SM East, Olathe North will face off in football rematch of last year’s playoff instant classic."