Just a reminder – at the end of this season I will award BP’s Mythical City Championship. For those of you who are not old, major metropolitan cities used to play for a city championship. That doesn’t happen anymore (at least not in these parts).
Random thoughts:

• O’Hara is starting to look like a team that is not only fun to watch, but one that could make a deep run in the state playoffs. Focus, men!

• I would love to see a head-to-head between Olathe North and Hutchinson. We won’t because they are in different classes, but……just sayin’….

• Blue Valley always seems to find a way. Just goes to show you that while the records are not important early in the season, the tests are what counts. BV was tested, faced adversity, and they are better for it. Nice job, Ramps.

• Latest game of the year – Rockhurst vs Liberty Friday night…..Or it could be Ft. Osage vs Park Hill…..Or it could be Ray-South vs LS West…..Hummmm…..

• Aquinas stares down Pittsburg demons – again.

• I would love to see Hogan Prep and University Academy in St. Louis at the end of November. Take care of business first. But that would be fun.

• Nice to see Lee’s Summit back in a place they haven’t been since I was a kid. A long, hard road for Coach Spiegel.


Alright, here it is. BP’s Power 5 – 1st round of playoffs edition (ya, multiple No. 1’s – again):


1) Olathe North (9-0)….last three games point totals: 49, 49, and 48. Points given up the last games: 35, 8, and 7. Question – who’s going to put a 40-spot on the board vs the Iggles? Nobody. Oh, ya, I almost forgot - J-Frank cementing place in O-North running back history. O-Town should have a banner honoring all of the offensive lineman who have blocked for Franklin, Mack, Sproles, Gore, etc. This week: Friday regional match-up with 4-5 SM East.

TIE

1) Gardner-Edgerton (9-0)….Nice bounce-back after close call with Aquinas. GE outscored district opponents 128-44. Put up 14 points in quarters 1, 2, and 3 vs Ottawa with 6 more in the 4th. Agent Starling runs for one, throws for two. Throw in a couple of TD runs by Brett Jensen and Ryan Weber and I am not seeing anyone a team that can down this group of ground pounders. This week: Friday night regional match-up with 6-3 Schlagle.

TIE

1) Ft. Osage (10-0)….10 wins equals 2007 total which included a state semi-final run. Have not lost since Nov. 15th, 2008, a 6-0 shutout by Ray-South. Since beating Ray-South in the rematch four weeks ago, The Fort has pitched two shutouts. Ya, Gaines and Pearl get the run – which they deserve, but, the defense needs to take a bow, too. Keep the eyes on the prize. Next: sectionals vs 9-1 Park Hill.

2) Rockhurst (8-2)….My fear for the Hawklets is that they did not really have a challenge in districts. Now, you could say that about most of the teams in the Power 5, but, Rock Town cannot afford to slide into cruise control now. Last week I mentioned that RB Noah Pearl had shown flashes. This may been misunderstood – in fact it was. Noah’s rolling just fine. Opponents of the Baby Hawks will have to pick their poison – Pearl or Sal Belfonte – and they may not survive either. Noah – keep rolling. Sal – keep abusing the opposition. This week: vs Liberty in sectionals. Get there early!!!

TIE

2. Blue Springs (9-1)….Kelly’s Heroes have not lost since week 3 to Rockhurst. Since then – 7 wins and 26 Darrian Miller TD’s. Like The Rock, The Originals rolled through districts. It’s good to be running the rock well when it’s November. This week: play a Lee’s Summit squad that will be pumped for it’s first playoff appearance in over 20 years.

3) Staley (10-0)….like Rock City and The Originals breezed through districts scoring 134 points while the defense stoned opponents with one shutout and giving up 13 total points (no double digit scoring for opponents since Hickman Mills scored 14 a month ago). Evan Campbell will have to be considered for All-State. This week: Sectionals match-up with 5-5 St. Joe – Lafayette.

4) Park Hill (9-1)….As usual, Coach Reynolds slow-played his pocket Aces in pre-season. Won districts by a combined score of 90-29. Corey Sterling and Sean Gorman will have to be sterling this week. A Sectional game of the year candidate vs co-No. 1 Ft. Osage.

5) O’Hara (9-1)….took Coaches Cup and district title with 42-3 win over rival St. Pius X. If you are so inclined, Raphael Spencer and T.J. White are well worth the price of admission. It is really a matter of who you want to try to stop and, so far, opponents have not been able to stop either. This week: vs 8-2 Chillicothe.

TIE

5. Hogan Prep (9-1)….Rammers have scored 42 and 43 points in their last two wins. I cannot imagine what Maurice Sneed, Dawon Cummings, and Laron Cummings would look like playing on the turf in St. Louis, but, I’d like to see it. This week: face 8-2 Lexington Wednesday night.

TIE

5. SM West (8-1)….Vikes get in on strength of e-mail support. Didn’t get much from anybody else. D.J. Balazs and William Livingston may have enough to get this team deep into the playoffs. This week: vs 3-6 Blue Valley.

On the Radar:

• University Academy (8-2)….If you time Wednesday night, make your way to Center High School to watch U-A Q.B Darrenn White. It might be your last chance to see the kid before he heads off the Wyoming. Last week, White threw 4 TD passes and ran for another – BEFORE HALFTIME!!!...Auston LeBlance is also a sight to see. Good hands – on offense and defense.

• Blue Valley NW (8-1)….QB Koby Chadick has the chance to lead the NWsters to a special season. And, for Huskies fans – it’s been awhile.

• Liberty (8-2)….I knew all about WR Marcus Lucas (who didn’t) and QB Kevin Vanegdom. But Garrett White may be the key on a cold November night. Tough one vs The Rock this week.

• Kearney (8-2)….5 wins and 4 shutouts since 14-point loss to Staley. One thing Greg Jones-Drew know: Defense wins championships. Ashton Hiatt and Dillon Brink make a powerful Bulldog backfield. Face 4-6 Westport Wednesday night.

• Raytown South (7-3)….Can Dennis Tanner and the Redbirds avenge their 2-point loss to the Titans?

• LS West (7-3)….can the Titans repeat their 2-point win over Ray-South. Watch and see.

• St. Thomas Aquinas (8-1)….survive Pittsburg – again. How’s Coach K. doing? Face 6-3 Mill Valley in regionals.

• Bishop Miege (7-2)….5 straight wins for Grunny’s crew since loss to BVNW. Face 2-7 Baldwin in playoffs.

• Turner (8-1)….five straight wins since loss to Basehor.

Watch list: Harrisonville, Free State, Basehor-Linwood, Grain Valley, Piper, Ray-Pec, Winnetonka, Blue Valley, Chillicothe, DeSoto, Hickman Mills, Mill Valley, Odessa, Olathe East, Olathe NW, Paola, PH South, Pleasant Hill, St. Pius X, Schlagle, Sumner Academy, and Westport.

Well, probably too many teams, but, there are a lot of kids playing in the post-season. You can band the “B” blog button below or send e-mail to brad.porter@twcable.com

Good luck, kids!