Things could not have started more opposite for Shawnee Mission East and Olathe South Thursday, August 31. A game which eventually finished 28-6 to the Lancers.
South’s first drive saw three penalties and a punt from the goal line. East’s senior Milton Braasch fielded that punt and took it to the house.
“I fielded it on the bounce,” Braasch said, “I saw the right side was open. They were all taking bad angles. Then just used my speed to get to the end zone.”
Just like that East was up 7-0.
“That’s a great way to start the game,” Shawnee Mission East head coach Dustin Delaney said. “Milton Braasch is a dynamic player for us. Just a really fantastic player.
Near the end of the first quarter and into the second, Olathe South put a good drive together. A combination of runs and swing passes lead them down the field. However, the Lancer defense held strong and South ended up missing a short field goal. East would go on to stop Olathe South three more times in the red zone before the night was done.
“Our guys on defense were awesome tonight,” Braasch said. “It was great to see everyone reading their keys and flying around getting to the ball all night.”
The score board may not show it, but Olathe South had a good showing on both sides of the ball.
“It’s a 34-point swing from last year’s score,” Olathe South head coach Craig Lewis said. “I look at how we ended the year last year vs how we started this year and I think we are going to get a lot better.”
There were positives for the Falcons to take away on defense as well despite giving up 28 points.
“Our defense is still junior laden,” Lewis said, “by the middle of the season we should be firing on all cylinders.”
East’s offense didn't put up the video game numbers fans were used to in 2016, but quarterback Andy Maddox still hooked up with senior Kelyn Bolton for two touchdowns. Braasch punched in one on the ground to go with his punt return.
“Olathe is really good,” Delaney said. “That is most of their defense returning and we only have two starters from last season. The credit should go to Olathe South they played fantastic defensively.”
Next up for the Falcons will be Olathe Northwest on September 8; while Shawnee Mission East takes Shawnee Mission Northwest.
