RE/MAX Big 3 Games of the Week

By Dion Clisso PrepsKC Managing Editor
Posted: October 2, 2012 - 10:16 AM



Lee’s Summit West at Raymore Peculiar
7 p.m. Friday at Raymore-Peculiar Stadium
When these two teams spent a few years together in Class 5 this was one of the best rivalries in the Metro. The Panthers were the ones winning state titles and the Titans were the new kids on the block trying to prove their worth after moving up from Class 4.
Now the Titans are the big dogs of Class 5 and Ray-Pec is in its third year in Class 6. After struggling to adjust, the Panthers are now off to their best start since moving to Class 6 in 2010, going 5-1 in their first six games. Only a wild shootout loss at Blue Springs South keeps this from being a matchup of unbeaten teams.
West is rolling, and this could be the last chance for the Titans to suffer a loss during the regular season. Last week West rolled past Park Hill South 31-6 with a defense that pitched a shutout for almost all four quarters.
Blue Springs at Blue Springs South
7 p.m. Friday at Larry Stewart Stadium
For almost 20 years this has been one of the best rivalries in the Metro. These are two of the top programs in the state of Missouri, and this game rarely disappoints.
Last year Blue Springs came in with two losses and sent the eventual state champs home with a 26-21 loss. That would be the last game South would lose as the Jaguars would roll from there to the Class 6 state championship.
This year it looks like the Wildcats are the team with the best shot to win a title, but South is still a force. The Jaguars are 4-2 and have been an offensive force most of the season. Only two shutout losses to Fort Osage and Rockhurst are blemishes on the Jaguars record.
The Wildcats have been dominant, with the exception of a wild overtime loss to Lee’s Summit West. This game is big for both teams as the season is winding down and district seeding is becoming ever more important.
Staley at Kearney
7 p.m. Friday at Kearney Stadium
In just five seasons this game has become a big rivalry matchup. These teams have six times in four years after playing in the playoffs and regular season in both 2008 and 2009 when both teams were in Class 4.
Last year they only played once with Staley getting the win. This season Kearney has moved up to Class 5 and we could be back to a time when the teams played twice in a season.
This game could be one of the highest scoring games seen anywhere this year. Both teams can score at will, and each team’s defense has been known to give up points. This is probably a case of whichever team has the ball last getting the win.
Wyandotte at Washington
7 p.m. Friday at Washington Stadium
It is always a big game no when these two get together, no matter what the records say, but this year is a little different. For the first time in long time the winner of this game exits with a chance to win the Kansas City Kansas-Atchison League and have a shot to finish with a winning record.
This has been a banner year for both programs. Wyandotte enters with a 4-1 record while Washington comes in at 3-2 riding a 3-game winning streak. The seven combined wins are more than the last two seasons combined.
This new era of football for these two teams has brought excitement to a game that usually only has bragging rights on the line. Wyandotte features one of the most dynamic players in the Metro in Dimonic Roden-McKinzy while Washington has won three close games in a row playing solid defense during that time.
Shawnee Mission East at Lawrence Free State
7 p.m. Friday at Free State Stadium
The Lancers are rolling along while and a trip to Lawrence will be their biggest test since stopping Olathe South 3-0 two weeks ago.
Free State has bounced back from its three-point loss to Olathe South to wins it last two games. The Firebirds can score on anyone but their defense has struggled against good offenses. This should be a good test for both teams and could be a playoff preview depending on how the districts and brackets shake out.
East is rolling after a big win over Olathe East, and this will be a good test before district play starts next week. If East wants to win the Sunflower League for only the fifth time in school history this game is a must win.
Piper at Mill Valley
7 p.m. Friday at Mill Valley Stadium
The Kaw Valley League title is on the line when Piper travels to Mill Valley. Both teams come in riding four game winning streaks after opening the season with a loss.
The Jaguars are not only on a streak, they are killing their opponents. Last week Mill Valley pounded Bonner Springs 49-12 and has only allowed 25 points in its four league games.
Piper’s offense had been rolling along scoring 35 against Basehor-Linwood and 61 over Tonganoxie before being held under 30 points the last two weeks. This game could be a shootout but Piper might be better served to keep this game as low scoring as possible.