Week 8 Review

In week eight the Indians clobbered the Wyandotte Bulldogs 69-6, just two points shy of the schools all time record of 71 (courtesy of Booker T Sports Reports). It didn't take long for the Indians to get going in this one, as the first play from scrimmage quarterback Ryan Theis (pictured left) found Mason Perez on a 20 yard touchdown pass to put the Indians up 6-0 with only twenty seconds off the clock. Later in the quarter, two runs by Henry Bell gave the Indians 1st and 10 from the Wyandotte 21 yard line.
Theis again dropped back to pass, and found
Perez for the second time on the night for a 21 yard touchdown pass to put the Indians ahead 14-0 with 6:08 left in the first quarter. The Theis to Perez tandem propelled the Indians to a 41-0 halftime lead, with four touchdown passes from Theis to Perez.

The second half was no different for the Indians as they outscored Wyandotte 28-6 giving the Indians the win 69-6. This improved North to (2-6) on the season and (1-1) in Districts setting up a major game this week at Leavenworth where the winner will move on to the Kansas 6A playoffs. If you recall this was the same scenario as last season, as the Indians beat the Pioneers 28-24 in week 9 to move onto the playoffs and eventually falling to State Runner-Up Olathe North.

SMN/Wyandotte scoring summary:
11:41 1st- 20 yard pass from Ryan Theis to Mason Perez. SMN 6 WYN 0
6:08 1st- 21 yard pass from Theis to Perez. (2pt conversion good) SMN 14 WYN 0
9:18 2nd- 34 yard pass from Theis to Perez. SMN 20 WYN 0
6:09 2nd- 23 yard pass from Theis to Perez. SMN 27 WYN 0
3:24 2nd- 40 yard punt return by Perez. SMN 34 WYN 0
:02 2nd- 1 yard run by Brock Burrows. SMN 41 WYN 0
10:48 3rd- 25 yard run by Burrows. SMN 48 WYN 0
3:51 3rd- 37 yard interception return by Vicente Murillo. SMN 55 WYN 0
1:39 3rd- 32 yard interception return by Jacob Wilson. SMN 62 WYN 0
8:24 4th- 8 yard touchdown pass by Wyandotte (names weren't on roster). SMN 62 WYN 6
6:50 4th- 22 yard run by Jesse Patterson. SMN 69 WYN 6

Leavenworth will not be an easy task for the Indians, even though North has dominated the series in the past ten years.
SM North vs Leavenworth since 2000:
2000- SMN 39 Leav 24
2001- SMN 28 Leav 6
2003- SMN 21 Leav 19
2004- SMN 14 Leav 9
2005- SMN 14 Leav 0
2006- SMN 40 Leav 11
2007- SMN 15 Leav 20
2008- SMN 27 Leav 33
2009- SMN 41 Leav 0
2010- SMN 28 Leav 24

The key to this game will be how the Indians start off. In the 1st quarter this season excluding the Wyandotte game, SMN has been outscored 123-26. If Leavenworth jumps out to an early lead it could spell trouble for the Indians.

Week 8 Statistical Leaders from SMN. For stat corrections email Kurt @ kufan5555@yahoo.com

Passing- Ryan Theis 4/8 98yds 4td 1int
Rushing- Jesse Patterson 13 carries 101yds 1td
Receiving- Mason Perez 4 catches 98yds 4td 1 punt return for a td



Photo Courtesy- http://bephotography.smugmug.com/Events

SMN/SMNW Recap

Shawnee Mission North hadn't beat Northwest since 2001 heading into Friday night. The Indians jumped out to a rough start trailing 27-7 in the third quarter. But just like the Indians have done all season long, they continued to fight. Down 27-7 with six minutes left in the third Ryan Theis hit Mason Perez for a 54 yard touchdown pass. This seemed to ignite the Indians as a 37 yard touchdown run by Henry Bell was followed by a 43 yard pass from Theis to Perez to tie the game at 27 with 11 minutes left in the fourth. On the next Cougar possession, North forced a fumble and got the ball back. After several nice runs by Brock Burrows, Theis hit Armando Contreras for a four yard touchdown pass. This put the Indians up 34-27 after a missed PAT which would end up hurting the Indians down the road. With three minutes left in the game and the Indians still up 34-27, the Cougars ran a fake reverse flea flicker(it was quite the play) quarterback Colton Dirks threw a pass that looked like it would fall incomplete, but Luke Fields managed to make the catch and escape Indian defenders for a touchdown which tied things up at 34. On the next North possession Ryan Theis made one of few mistakes on the night and threw an interception that gave the Cougars good field possession. After a few runs by Cougar running back Danny Manning the Cougars had the ball at the Indian 15 yard line with :03 seconds left on the clock. Northwest went for the field goal to win the game, but it missed right by inches. In overtime the Cougars struck first on a 3rd and goal run by Danny Manning to take the lead 41-34. Indians tried to respond, but failed on a 4th and goal pass from Theis to Contreras.

For the Cougars the win improved their record to (2-5) and (1-0) in districts. They will meet Leavenworth this week in a game that could be for the District Championship.

North fell to (1-6) and (0-1) in districts. This week could provide some relief for the Indians as they host Wyandotte who fell to Leavenworth last week 49-0. The Indians are now in a must win mode to try and reach the playoffs for the second straight season.


District Standings
1. Leavenworth (1-0) +13pts
2. SM Northwest (1-0) +7pts
3. SM North (0-1) -7pts
4. Wyandotte (0-1) -13pts

Leaders from the game. For stat corrections email Kurt at kufan5555@yahoo.com
SM North
Passing- Theis 7-15 123 yards 3TD 2INT 1 Fumble
Rushing- Bell 11 carries 148yards 2TD
Receiving- Perez 5 catches 125 yards 2TD

SM Northwest
Passing- Dirks 4-10 53 YDS 1 TD 11 carris 84 yds 2 TD 1 Fumble
Rushing- Manning 26 carries 98 yards 2 TD
Receiving- Fields 2 catches 47 yards 1 TD


Photo Courtesy- http://www.bephotography.org/

SM West @ SM North Recap

The Indians by far should be 2-2 after this week. Turnovers have killed them all season long, and Friday night was no different. After trailing 7-0 to SM West, the North offense was trying to respond. Ryan Theis dropped back to pass when Sean Dilley of West ripped the ball from Theis, and took it 26 yards for a touchdown. The very next North possesion, Matt Maynard had the ball popped out of his hands and into the air caught by Lee Spight of West who went 20 yards for another Viking touchdown. Within minutes West had a 20-0 lead over the Indians. After a touchdown run by Brock Burrows, the Indians cut the lead. Right before half Indian star Mason Perez found a pass by Armani Williams and intercepted it for 60 yards giving North a big time chance to make it a game before half. The next play Ryan Theis hit Perez who hurt his shoulder on the catch for 22 yards, and the Indians trailed 20-13 at the half. North was forced to play the second half without Seniors Mason Perez, and Mitch Paden. The absence of the two went noticed as the Indians struggled offensivly the entire second half. Both teams were unable to get anything going offensivly in the second half, and West eventually held on for the 20-13 win. Many wonder what the game would have been like without the two fumble returns, and having Mason Perez able to play in the second half. North now (1-3) will travel to Lawrence to meet Lawrence Free State (3-1). This will be the 6th meeting between the two schools, with Free State leading the series (4-1)

Week 1 SM North 26 SM South 22

Heading into this season Shawnee Mission North had high hopes. After making the playoffs for the first time since the early 2000's last season, they had a huge senior class coming back for more. They proved in a fantastic game against South, that they were a new team. The old SM North seemed to always struggle in close games, and eventually find a way to lose the game. This team was different. On this hot night at North District Stadium, the Indians found a way. After going up 26-14 it appeared the Indians had it in hand, but the Raiders weren't done. They rallied and made it 26-22 with 38 seconds left and had the ball and the North 12. The Indians forced fourth down, and had one last play to prove people wrong. The pass looked good from Souths quarterback Alex Forslund, but somehow Jack Currie stepped in front of it and got the interception. The old SM North would have missed the interception and lost the game. This team has an abundance of talent. Senior Mason Perez will again prove he belongs at the top of the Sunflower League. Brock Burrows, and Mitch Paden are a bruising combination at running back, and give the Indians a chance to beat anyone. Matthew Maynard has raw speed, and can make a big play at any moment. Ryan Theis had big shoes to fill after the departure of Kyle Goodburn, and in week one he filled those shoes. Now comes the big test, can they beat Olathe North. The Eagles are by far one of the top teams in the state, and have a huge rushing attack with Orange Mooney. The Indians will surly have their hands full, but just like in 2003 when SMN shocked OLN anything is possible.


Check back later this week for new stories, and updates. Also don't forget to make your predictions for this weeks games to win a free oil change.

Interview with Coach Grayless

Q- What are some differences in year two compared to year one of your head coaching career?


A- Lots of logistical stuff, it's not just all x's and o's. It's a lot more politics, and dealing with administration. When I was just an assistant, it was all about coaching and having fun.


Q- How do you think this team will fair in the Sunflower League this season?

A- This group is extremely competitive. We have 25 seniors this year which is the biggest senior class in the seven years I've been here. They have answered every challenge given to them this year, and it's also the second year that they've had with our new offense and defense.

Q- Who will be some players to keep an eye on this year?

A- In our backfield watch for Brock Burrows, and Mitch Paden. We also have some guys who really shine with the pressure in Billy Carr and Matt Maynard. Mason Perez will also be a guy to look for, and Avery Richard. Our quarterback this season will be Ryan Theis, who's also a team captain.

Q- Bigger game this season Shawnee Mission Northwest or Shawnee Mission East?

A- Northwest is obviously a traditional rival and a District opponent. I would say the Northwest game this year would be bigger, because it's one we have to have for Districts. We have two goals at the begining of each season, thats to be the best in the Shawnee Mission School District, and to be the best team in our Playoff District.

Interview with Brock Burrows

Senior standout Brock Burrows

Q- After last seasons success and first playoff appearance since 2003, will the Indians be ready to make another run?

A- We're definitely ready. This is the best summer we've had since I've been at North with the attendance, and work ethic. This is the biggest senior class we've had in years and everyone is buying into the program. So we're ready to do a lot more than just a first round appearance.

Q- What will be the biggest factor into having a successful season this year?

A- Our defense. Towards the end of the season last year our offense was becoming a real powerhouse. Everybody was having trouble stopping us. Our defense just couldn't step up and do a job, and it hurt us in every game. So if our defense can step up this year, we'll be a lot better off.

Q- What will be the biggest game of the season?

A- Either the Olathe North game, or the SM. Northwest game. We play Olathe North our second game of the season at ODAC, where we lost in our playoff match up last year. I know all the returning players are looking forward to proving something in that game. Northwest is probably the biggest game, had we beat them last year we would have won district.

Q- Bigger rival Sm. Northwest or Sm. East, and why?

A- Recently it's been East. We really just don't like the boys in baby blue, that game always gets the blood pumping. However we play Northwest for a possible trip to the playoffs, and district championship. So this year I would say Northwest.