After stunning everyone in the state by defeating two teams with only one loss on their record, the Blue Valley Tigers were matched up against the Olathe North Eagles along with their phenomenal senior running back of James Franklin. However, Franklin’s status before the game was unknown as he had missed practice over the course of the week due to bronchitis. But at game time Franklin was well, and ready to show the state why he is considered as a Division-I prospect.
The first half of the game was more of a defensive battle, as each time headed into the locker rooms with the score tied at 7. But as usual, the second half was what made the game interesting as both teams came out charging with their seasons on the line. The teams traded possession back and forth until there was 4:06 left to play in the 3rd quarter, when Olathe North lined up in punt formation to have their punt blocked by BV’s TJ Nee, which put the Tigers in great position to take the lead. But, after a couple rushes by Abenoja and RB Justin Fulks, the Tigers were forced to settle for a 25 yard field goal, which ended up being blocked by Olathe North, proving how big of a role special teams and defense played in the game.
After a 35 yard run by Olathe was called back for a holding call, the ball was handed off to Dominic Wilson, who fumbled the ball around the 47 yard line. The fumble was recovered by #24 Tyler Disney, who is considered an athlete with college potential in baseball as well.
As Blue Valley let the seconds run off of the clock, the teams went to the sidelines and got ready for the 4th quarter. Head Coach Steve Rampy, who has been coaching from the press box for the majority of the season, came down to the sidelines to show his team some support. Rampy’s presence on the sideline was definitely felt, as Abenoja’s cannon arm fired the ball into the open arms of WR Connor Rusnak. Which led to a TD pass from Abenoja to WR PJ Debey, to put the Tigers up 14-7, as the home crowd went wild in the stands. After a short run by Olathe’s kick returners, Olathe’s QB Victor Simmons showed that Franklin wasn’t the only ground threat as he broke through a couple tackles for a long run to the Tiger’s 10 yard line. After a couple QB sneaks, the Eagles were facing 4th and 1, and after a false start, they were looking at 4th and 6, with about six minutes left to play. On the following play Simmons looked to the corner of the endzone, but the pass was wide of his reciever. As soon as the Blue Valley crowd went wild, they were silenced by a pass interference call on Brian Peck, giving the Eagles another chance. The extra play also gave the Eagles a touchdown as Simmons kept the ball for the 1 yard run. But, the Olathe North’s kicker missed the extra point, leaving the Tigers on top 14-13.
After a few shorts rushes by Abenoja, the Tigers were forced to punt, and after a bad punt by Abenoja, the Eagles took over with good field position with a little over a minute left to play.
After running down the clock, the Eagles set up in field goal formation, giving the kicker who had just missed the tying extra point a chance to redeem himself. After a few timeouts by Blue Valley to ice the kicker, the extra point was successful, giving the Olathe North Eagles a 16-14 win, along with a trip to the State Championship Game.
After the awards were handed out, some of the Blue Valley Seniors stayed out on the field, to remember their cinderella story playoff run, and the four years they had under Steve Rampy, who could almost smell another State Championship ring. After only going 3-6 in the regular season, the Tigers ended the playoffs as the Substate Runner-Up, and are finished playing for the year. The State Championship will feature Olathe North and Witchita Heights, and will take place at Washburn University on November 28th. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm at Yager Stadium