RE/MAX Big 3 Games of the Week

By Dion Clisso PrepsKC Managing Editor
Posted: October 9, 2012 - 7:56 AM



Blue Valley Southwest at Blue Valley
7 p.m. Friday at Blue Valley High School
When Southwest opened just two years ago this game was little brother against big brother. The Tigers would win a state title in Southwest’s first season and play for another championship last season. Meanwhile the Timberwolves were learning how to win games and even win games in the playoffs.
 
This year the game is a battle of two good football teams trying to open district play with a win. This game is important for rivalry purposes but even more important for two teams that are trying to get into the Class 5A playoffs.
 
The Tigers are coming off a wild 29-28 win over St. Thomas Aquinas. It was a big victory for Blue Valley and showed they are getting better after a 1-2 start to the season.
 
The Timberwolves come in after beating white hot Blue Valley Northwest in its last game. Southwest got a big game from quarterback Aaron Ramsey and they will be looking for the same thing out of him if they want to win this game.
 
In a district that also features Blue Valley West and Pittsburg a win in the first week of district play could mean everything.
 
Olathe South at Gardner-Edgerton
7 p.m. Friday at Gardner-Edgerton Stadium
When the new classifications and district pairings were announced this was a game that many circled. The Falcons were the defending state champions and the Trailblazers had been to the Class 5A semifinals the last two seasons.
 
This expected matchup of heavyweights is a game between two teams trying to find some consistency as district play begins. Olathe South got a big win over Shawnee Mission Northwest last week that stopped a two-game losing streak.
 
Gardner-Edgerton’s big win over Blue Valley North was its second straight after losing three games in a row. The winner of this game will have a good chance to win the district that includes Olathe North and Olathe Northwest who have combined to win three games this season.
 
Shawnee Mission South at Blue Valley Northwest
7 p.m. Friday at the Blue Valley D.A.C.
Both teams enter this game coming off of a loss but the district season has wiped the slate clean for both squads.
 
Northwest had been playing as well as anyone the last three weeks but a tough loss to Blue Valley Southwest set them back. South has been one of the surprise teams of the early season but back to back losses to Shawnee Mission West and Lawrence have them on a losing streak heading into districts.
 
Both of these teams like to run the ball and play physical on both sides of the ball so it could come down to turnovers and special teams play. The other teams in this district, Blue Valley North and Olathe East have combined for just three wins so a loss in this game won’t kill all postseason hopes.
 
Lee’s Summit at Raytown South
7 p.m. Friday at Ted Chitwood Stadium
Both these teams come in on an emotional high after beating their rivals the week before. Raytown South topped Raytown, and Lee’s Summit edged Lee’s Summit North.
 
Now both teams are looking to take some of that momentum into the final two weeks of the regular season and improve their district seedings.
 
The Cardinals have been playing good football over the last few weeks, but this could be a tough test. Lee’s Summit can match Raytown South’s ability to score and has good athletes on both sides of the ball.
 
The Tigers are looking for some momentum coming off the win against North. Lee’s Summit has yet to win back-to-back games this season, and this might just be there last chance.
 
Maryville at Savannah
7 p.m. Friday at Savannah Stadium
It doesn’t get any bigger than this in the Midland Empire Conference as two undefeated teams meet.
 
Maryville has yet to be tested all season long, but this could be the week. The Savages have been strong all season and they are looking for a repeat of last season when they were the only team to beat Maryville in the regular season.
 
The Spoofhounds are as dominant as any team in the state. They haven’t allowed more than seven points in any game while scoring at least 40 points except for last week when they scored 34 in a win over Smithville.
 
Something has to give and this could be one of the best games of the season.
 
Platte County at Winnetonka
7 p.m. Friday at the North Kansas City District Stadium
The Griffins are riding a six-game winning streak and look like a team no one will want to play in the post season.
 
Platte County was riding high until a tough loss at Liberty North last week. The Pirates and Griffins are both young teams who have played like seasoned veterans all year.
 
The key for Platte County this week will be similar to the game against Liberty North. Winnetonka has an outstanding running game led by Aaron Mends, and they will look to control the pace of the game on the ground.
 
The Pirates will need to find a way to keep that offense off of the field and make the strong Griffins defense play the majority of the game.
 
Also at stake is Suburban Small Six title. Winnetonka is undefeated while Platte County has just one loss. A win by the Griffins would guarantee at least a tie for the league title but the Pirates can make it a three-team race along with Raytown South.