Two dominant backs in Bryce Randall and Max Piva are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Olathe Northwest Ravens will host the Mill Valley Jaguars at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Olathe Northwest knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 31 points or more in their past five games -- so hopefully Mill Valley likes a good challenge.
Olathe Northwest is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They simply couldn't be stopped on Friday as they easily beat Shawnee Mission West 43-7. The Ravens haven't had any issues with the Vikings recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive win against them.
Olathe Northwest's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Michael Hefley led the charge by rushing for 115 yards and one TD on only six carries. Hefley really tore up the turf during one magnificent 78-yard run. Another back making a difference was Jaelen Douglas, who rushed for 94 yards and one touchdown on only nine carries.
Wins are hard to come by when you can't run the rock, something Olathe Northwest proved: they limited Shawnee Mission West to a paltry 3.4 yards per carry. While three picked up at least two total tackles, Hefley stood above the rest. He rushed for 115 yards and one score on only six carries. Olathe Northwest didn't have any issues in that department, having averaged 9.2.
Olathe Northwest's defense didn't let the opposing QB, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for three sacks. The team can thank three different players for their defensive prowess: Mason Thomas, Quinn Sullivan, and Magnus Larson, who each picked up one sack apiece.
Meanwhile, Mill Valley faced Olathe West in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Jaguars took a hard 52-36 fall against the Owls. The Jaguars' loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.
Olathe Northwest will have to contain Blake Jay as he made an impact in Mill Valley's last game. He rushed for 168 yards and one TD, and also threw for 111 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Mill Valley's defeat was their first in the district, dropping their district record down to 4-1 and their overall record down to 4-2. As for Olathe Northwest, their victory bumped their record up to 5-1.
Friday's contest might be decided on the ground. Olathe Northwest has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 275.5 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Mill Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 342.2 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Olathe Northwest was dealt a bruising 42-13 loss at the hands of Mill Valley in their previous meeting back in September of 2023. Thankfully for the Ravens, Daniel Blaine (who rushed for 105 yards and one score on only six carries, and also threw for 39 yards and one TD) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
