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Photo Credit: Jason Lamb/PrepsKC

The Shawnee Mission West at Olathe North game began with a bang.

Arland Bruce IV scored a touchdown on a weaving 55-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. Otherwise it wasn't the start Eagles Head Coach Chris McCartney expected.

"We kept shooting ourselves in the foot. We had a lot of penalties. We have to get rid of those," McCartney said. "It's hard week in and week out to be ready."

Bruce was ready. The junior running back rushed 28 times for 264 yards and three touchdowns, leading third-ranked Olathe North to a 30-10 victory over the visiting Vikings.

With the exception of Bruce's game-opening run and Cory Lawson's 50-yard sprint for a second quarter score, the underdog Vikings held the Eagles' potent offense in check in the first half. SM West junior running back Andrew Kinney leaped into the endzone from the one, and the Vikings cut the Eagles' lead to 17-10 at halftime.

"We're slow starters. We were the last two weeks," McCartney said. "Sometimes it takes a reality check for us to get going I guess."

The Vikings had the ball to start the third quarter. The Eagles forced a punt, then the offense came onto the field and marched 70 yards. Bruce took a direct snap and carried it in from five yards out for his second touchdown and a 24-10 lead. Bruce finished his night with a 20-yard score in the final minutes.

Olathe North (3-0) will host Columbine (CO) next Friday night.

"They're really good. They're super-disciplined,' said McCartney. "If we have mistakes like we had tonight it's going to be embarrassing. So we know that. We know what we're in for. I hope we're up for the challenge. I'm sure we will be."

SM West (1-2) will host Free State next week.