I am looking forward to this week and wanted to post some of the hot topics on top of my mind. This week I am going to watch the Tonganoxie vs Bonner Springs game. This game is important in the final Kaw Valley League football race. The Chieftains get the home field advantage but I am sure the Braves will travel well. This should be a fun game but let’s catch up on the news of the week.
I have made it a point to not dive into the debates between private and public schools this year. There are certain things that will not change and my mind in most cases is one of them. I find it to be a real accomplishment to take public school talent to high levels of success. I have a mountain of respect for Coach Applebee at Mill Valley for what he has put together but there hasn’t been enough pub just yet for the job that Rod Stallbaumer is doing at Basehor-Linwood.
The Bobcats are set to host Independence tonight at home on a three-game streak of shutting out their opponents. The competition has not been the best in the area but none the less the Bobcats are starring at another 4-0 start. Basehor-Linwood prides itself on having one of the top power lifting programs in the state. Success of that program aside they have built a culture of work ethic at the school that Stallbaumer has embraced and taken full advantage of on his team. Coach has started off his Bobcat coaching career 27-9 capped by an 11-1 season last year with public school talent. Anyone that hoped the large number of seniors that that squad would result in a step back better make sure they don’t sleep on this team. KVL still goes through Basehor-Linwood.
Our player of the week was Brody Flaming of Mill Valley who posted a 492 passing and rushing yard game along with 7 total TD’s. The only wart on his line right now is the 7 INT’s he has thrown but the Jaguars are letting it fly this year. Last week his line was just as good 425 passing yards, 3 TD’s with 95 on the ground and 2 more TD’s. Yes, that is over 1000 yards of offense in 2 games and yes that is 12 TD’s in two games. Even Al Bundy is impressed with that.
A humble brag for a moment as there was a bit of blow back at the beginning of the season about the KCAL race. Some of my fellow members of the media reached out to me to get the run down on the league and help make their predictions preseason. I stood alone calling for the Stallions to climb back to the top and they took a huge step in that direction Friday night defeating Atchison 30-0. It was unfortunate to see Atchison’s top back get nicked up early in the game but I don’t know if that was making a difference.
Atchison had won three straight KCAL titles and I think not enough credit was given to that core group. Adam Smith, Dai Coye Haley, Wykeen Gill and Bryce Enzbrenner to name a few of them were very good players. I got to watch Atchison in districts last year with Haley and Smith out of the game and the Redmen were in a tough spot. The Schlagle defense swarmed and Ivan Webb was at it again. 277 rushing yards and 3 TD’s. Kid is on pace for 2400 rushing yards and games against Washington, Wyandotte, Sumner Academy and Harmon. Webb is a special back and one that is going to get college looks.
I am taking my photography on the road tomorrow in St. Joseph to watch the Mo West Griffons. Former All SHUKC player Kyle Dumler has been making some noise on the defensive line for the Griffons. I got my first press pass at the college level and am really looking forward to it.
David Brox covers the KCAL and Kaw Valley League and runs Sports Highlights Unlimited Kansas City. You can see all of his work at www.shukc.com.
