The Crossroads Conference is unique in the Metro because it features teams from both sides of the state line. It has seen its fair share of change since it began in 2010 but it currently features four schools playing football.
Van Horn is the only original member remaining on the football side and the Falcons are joined by Summit Christian Academy, University Academy and Bishop Ward. Ward is the newest member as the Kansas City, Kan. school joined the league before last season.
With Ward in Kansas it has five of its games preset by its district, so it only plays two games in the conference against Summit Christian Academy and Van Horn. With just a few conference games the league features lots of interesting matchups during the season.
Week 1 – St. Michael at Summit Christian Academy
Even though these teams aren’t in a conference together this could become a pretty good rivalry. Both schools are in Lee’s Summit and are similar in size. It’s a good test for both to start the season.
Week 2 – Van Horn at Butler
This used to be a game that would decide the Crossroads title but when Butler left the league it became an interesting non-conference contest. Van Horn has improved greatly over the last 10 years and competing with an always solid Butler was a big reason.
Week 3 – Bishop Ward at Van Horn
One of the two conference games for Ward. Van Horn should be the top of the league this year. Ward is looking to take a step forward after an 0-9 2018 and while a win here might be tough, competing could tell a lot about where the Cyclones are this year.
Week 4 – Summit Christian at Lafayette County
This is the fourth year of the home and home series with each team winning at home. This should be a good test for both teams and possibly affect district seeding at the end of the season.
Week 5 – University Academy at El Dorado, Kan.
By far the longest trip any Crossroads team will take in 2019. The Gryphons edged out an 18-14 win last season and should be tested again. If the bus ride doesn’t take too much out of University Academy it could make it two in-a-row over the Wildcats.
Week 6 – University Academy at Summit Christian Academy
If Van Horn is the favorite then this becomes a huge game for both teams. Each team is looking to knock off the Falcons as conference champs, but they must first win this game. Summit Christian blanked the Gryphons 49-0 last year, so this is a big test for University Academy.
Week 7 – Summit Christian Academy at Van Horn
This was basically the conference title game last season. Summit Christian won the game and the league so Van Horn looking to break through.
Week 8 – Bishop Ward at Santa Fe Trail
Ward only scored in three of its games last season and this is one of them. This is another game where the Cyclones can show what improvements they have made in 2019.
Week 9 – University Academy at East
The Gryphons close out their regular season at East coming off a game against Van Horn they week before. This should be a good test for University Academy to see how they fare coming off what could be their toughest game of the season.
Bishop Ward
9/6 Summit Christian Academy
9/13 @ Van Horn
9/20 Pembroke Hill
9/27 Jefferson West
10/4 @ Wellsville
10/11 @ Topeka Hayden
10/18 @ Santa Fe Trail
10/25 Perry-Lecompton
Summit Christian Academy
8/30 St. Michael
9/6 @ Bishop Ward
9/13 Clinton
9/20 @ Lafayette County
9/27 @ Skyline
10/4 University Academy
10/11 @ Van Horn
10/18 Pembroke Hill
10/25 Lincoln College Prep
University Academy
8/30 @ Wellington-Napoleon
9/6 @ Pembroke Hill
9/14 Christ Prep
9/21 Sweet Springs
9/27 @ El Dorado (Kan.)
10/4 @ Summit Christian Academy
10/12 Archie
10/19 Van Horn
10/25 @ East
Van Horn
8/30 @ East
9/6 @ Butler
9/13 Bishop Ward
9 21 Center
9/27 Northeast
10/4 @ Winnetonka
10/11 Summit Christian Academy
10/19 @ University Academy
10/25 @ Pembroke Hill
