Early Friday Practice Times Begin This Week, High School Football

With the advent of the high school football season, our Friday practices will now begin at 5 p.m., and end at 6:40 p.m.

Monday and Wednesday practices will still be from 6 p.m. until 7:40 p.m.

The Olathe Northwest Ravens High School Team will play their first game this Thursday night at CBAC against the Shawnee Mission East Lancers. The game is at 7 p.m. Hope to see you all there.

Another great matchup will happen on the same field on Friday night. The Olathe East Hawks will play the Lawrence Free State Firebirds at 7 p.m. The two teams tied for 3rd in the pre-season Sunflower League coaches poll. Free State is my dark horse to win the league - if I'm allowed to call a team picked 3rd a dark horse - and I'm a huge fan of their dynamic quarterback Camren Torneden. He's not a very big guy, but in football, you do have to actually touch a guy to have a chance to bring him down. In Torneden's case, that's easier said than done.

Now that Free State is finally absent graduated fullback Chucky Hunter, expect most teams to spread out defensively against them, stay in their lanes, and force Torneden to be a pocket passer. Mind you, he can pass just fine - but he'll kill you with his legs.

If you're staying in on Friday night and Metro Sports is in your cable package, watch the Hutchinson Salt Hawks and the Rockhurst Hawklets instead. Question - can speed and talent on defense really shut down the triple option? My guess is yes - but as an option fan, I'll root for Hutch!