Friday the 13th was in full effect for Shawnee Mission West as they took on rival Shawnee Mission South. The Vikings kept it close through the first half, but the Raiders pulled away to a 33-14 win.
“This was a big win. We haven’t beat [Shawnee Mission West] in years,” Shawnee Mission South running back Tony Friends said. “I came out played my game and did what I could do. Our defense and offense all helped out tonight.”
After forcing a three and out on their first defensive possession South took over around midfield. On their first offensive play Tony Friends went straight up the middle for 46 yards and the game’s opening touchdown.
“Tony does a nice job,” Shawnee Mission South head coach Brett Oberzan said, “but he is still a young back. He still has a long way to go, but he does a nice job. And that offensive line did a good job in front of him.”
After the teams traded punts, things started to turn around for West. The put together a sustained drive on the back of senior running back Kirby Grigsby. The black and gold punched in their first touchdown with two and half minutes left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, West forced an interception and looked to be gaining the upper hand. Twice they had 50-yard touchdown runs called back for penalties. To make matters worse they threw an interception of their own.
“Turnovers kill you,” Shawnee Mission West head coach Tim Callaghan said. “I thought we had some penalties that killed drives too. We were our own worst enemy tonight.”
South would capitalize on the short field. Again, it was Friends taking the option pitch to the right side. He looked to be stopped cold, but the diminutive running back broke free and ran 15 yards to the corner of the end zone. The Raiders would take a 13-7 lead to halftime.
After the break it was all Shawnee Mission South. They would score on three of their four second half possessions. Friends was unstoppable adding two more touchdowns including an impressive 55-yard run.
“I got the pitch to the left,” Friends said, “went down the sideline. Slowed down. Hit a dude, and just kept going.”
Despite being kept off the scoreboard, West was able to move the ball. They couldn’t overcome penalties and turnovers.
Next week West takes on Shawnee Mission East on Friday Oct. 20, and South plays Shawnee Mission Northwest in the regular season finale.
