Shawnee Mission Northwest scored early and often as they manhandled Olathe West 63-28. The Cougars were led on the ground by Malik O’Atis, who scored five rushing touchdowns.
The Cougars first score was on special teams. Keith Locke hit the punter before he could get the kick away and the ball was recovered in the end zone. Sam Vossen converted the kick.
The Cougars defense recovered a backward pass, giving the ball back to their offense at the Owls 14-yard line. Mikah Scott scored from 8-yards out and with less than two minutes off of the clock, the Cougars led 14-0.
The Owls cut the lead in half, when quarterback, Mason McGavran called his own number and scored on an 8-yard keeper. Lewie McMullen nailed the point after.
O’Atis, put his squad back in front, by two scores, with a 17-yard run.
Quickly the Owls matched that score when Anthony Favrow, took a handoff around the left end and snaked his way to a 13-yard touchdown run.
Before the half the Cougars stretched out their lead again. Senior quarterback, Blake Reeder took a snap and moved the pile, for a 4-yard score. The teams went to intermission with the Cougars up 28-14.
The Cougars scored :28 seconds into the 3rd quarter. Reeder was scrambling to his left and under duress, he threw across his body and found Jack Meylan, running towards the sideline. Meylan stuck his foot in the ground and quickly pivoted then outran the Owls defense for an 87 yard touchdown.
The Owls turned the ball over on downs, and O’Atis scored on a 5-yard run.
The Owls only needed one play to score on their next possession. Favrow, took a handoff made a man miss, and went 71 yards for the score.
The rest of the game was controlled by O’Atis, scoring his next two touchdowns about a minute apart. One from 5 yards, and the other was from 9 yards.
Favrow added the Cougars final score, on a 4-yard run.
The final score of the game was when O’Atis ran wide and streaked down the sideline for a 31 yard touchdown.
After the game when asked about his last touchdown he broke into a huge smile and said, “That’s just good blocking by our team. The whole team, great blocking, the blocking on the permitter was just great.”
The loss ends the Owls season with a record of 7-3. The Cougars improve to 7-3 and will take on Blue Valley West in the next round of the playoffs.
