Shawnee-Mill Valley coach Joel Applebee has known Clint Bowen for many years. Bowen, a Lawrence graduate, spent various stints on the University of Kansas football staff that totaled 21 years. Applebee, who has won four state titles with the Jaguars, has had multiple Division I signees. He has talked with Bowen both in Shawnee and Lawrence. Bowen is one of the more recognizable names in Sunflower State football.
“Great coach and a great person,” Applebee said.
In 2020, Bowen served one year as North Texas’ defensive coordinator. North Texas and Bowen parted ways after the season. Bowen elected to coach high school for the first time and took over as Lawrence’s head football coach after Steve Rampy departed for Missouri.
Lawrence is just outside the cusp of the top-5 in Class 6A with a 3-0 start. Lawrence graduated Devin Neal, the state’s top recruit and KU signee. Still, the Lions beat Olathe East (28-7), Shawnee Mission North (37-7) and Shawnee Mission West (35-7).
Applebee expected Lawrence to be strong. He noted the Lions’ many strengths, including senior quarterback Truman Juelsgaard, a first-year starter under center and a returning honorable mention all-conference defensive back. Applebee was impressed with the Lions’ skill players, especially the wide receivers who play hard and “run great routes.”
One of key wideouts is Bowen’s son, 6-foot-4, 180-pound Baylor. Plus, Lawrence returns 6-foot, 275-pound senior offensive lineman Acen Villegas, a second team all-Sunflower League selection. senior offensive lineman Noah Smith (6-4, 292) is a returning honorable mention all-league pick. Smith is an FCS prospect.
On Friday, Mill Valley (3-0) plays host to Lawrence in a key Sunflower League game. MV, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A and the two-time defending state champions, has won 10 consecutive contests. The Jaguars are 21-2 in its last 23 games. This marks the first ever appearance between Lawrence and Mill Valley. Last year, the game was cancelled because of COVID-19 complications.
Applebee is aware of broad themes surrounding the game, the undefeated teams, Bowen’s return and the inaugural matchup between the pair of powers. Lawrence is Kansas’ all-time winningest program. However, Applebee has laser focused on his longtime mantra.
“We’ve got to focus on us,” he said.
Applebee has always told his teams to respect each opponent. But Applebee looked inward when he served as an assistant for his cousin and best friend, longtime Derby coach Brandon Clark. Derby has reached the last six straight state titles with five championships.
When Applebee took over Mill Valley in 2010, the Jaguars had a cumulative record of 57-37 with one playoff win under former coach George Radell, per the Kansas Football History database.
Applebee and his staff included T.J. O’Neill, the current Olathe West head coach. Applebee knew if Mill Valley was going to improve, it needed to become “totally focused on us.” This season, MV returned just four starters and had a brand-new offensive line. The Jaguars have controlled all three games: at Gardner-Edgerton (35-14), versus Olathe South (35-14) and on the road versus Shawnee Mission East (41-10).
Mill Valley, which switched from the Eastern Kansas League to the Sunflower League after 2019, has its best start in five seasons. In ’16, MV returned just five starters, opened 3-0, lost four in a row and then went onto win the state crown.
In ’17, Mill Valley opened 1-4, and 2-3 in ’18. In ’19, MV started 1-3 and then won nine straight to capture the state title. Last season, the Jags started 2-2, including a close loss to Bentonville, an Arkansas power, when quarterback Cooper Marsh suffered injury. Still, Mill Valley’s mentality is not much different compared to other years’ starts.
“Honestly, very similar,” Applebee said.
Applebee said the relatively inexperienced group has several things to “definitely improve on,” but overall the team has “done a great job.”
Mill Valley knew it had to rely on its defense early, especially up front with its experienced defensive line with seniors Aidan Shaffer (6-1, 270) and Cody Moore (6-0, 207). Plus, MV has highly touted sophomore Truman Griffith (6-3, 222). Shaffer was an honorable mention all-league pick in 2020. MV has controlled the line of scrimmage and stopped the run.
“Really, really good job,” Applebee said of the front.
Moore, a catcher and corner infielder in baseball, is likely to play college baseball and has received offers at various levels. Moore did not play high school football before 2020. After MV won the ’19 state title, Moore “kind of wanted to be a part” of the Jaguars.
At first, Moore struggled with game speed and told his parents football was “rough.” He leaned on Mill Valley star linebacker Colten Jegen and defensive lineman Ethan Kremer, the two-time 5A defensive player of the year.
Moore took over as a starter at defensive end once Cole Knappen, a Division II caliber player, went down with injury. He worked on his pass rush and technique with veteran defensive coordinator Drew Hudgins.
Moore is smaller than most defensive ends, though has used his quickness and learned how to flip his hips and work hands. Moore said his play clicked in a 51-0 playoff win versus Spring Hill when he delivered 2.5 sacks. Overall, he finished with 34 tackles, seven for loss and 6.5 sacks. Shaffer finished with 21 stops, 3.5 for loss.
Griffith was a rare freshman to get called up to varsity. He suffered injury and followed with a big offseason. Applebee said Griffith is “well-advanced” and might be one of the strongest freshmen MV has ever had.
Shaffer has four tackles, 1.5 for loss and 0.5 sack. Moore has nine stops, a team-high 3.5 sacks and 1.5 TFLs. Griffith has delivered two sacks. Moore said Griffith has become “one of my best friends” both on and off the field.
Mill Valley’s defense ranked fifth in 5A scoring defense with 16.1 points allowed a contest last year. Two seasons ago, MV was seventh in 5A defense with 17 points allowed. The Jaguars have consistently held down top offenses. Moore said Hudgins stresses preparation, along with film study, hustle and pursuit to the ball.
This season, the Jaguars have grinded down three offenses. MV has collectively permitted just 3.9 yards per rush. Passing-wise, the Jaguars faced SME quarterback Parker Leise, a 6-2, 210-pounder with a KU offer.
Last week, MV picked off Leise three times and allowed just 3.9 yards per pass attempt. Overall, Mill Valley has used four to five players at cornerback and five to six at defensive back.
MV has held teams to a paltry 32 of 66 passing for 340 yards with a touchdown against six interceptions.
“Ultimately, stopping the run game and not giving up the big play in passing,” Applebee said.
Offensively, Applebee has been pleased with the different position groups – and the high volume of new starters.
Junior quarterback Hayden Jay, in his first year as a starter, has completed 27 of 44 passes for 527 yards with five touchdowns against two interceptions. He has rushed 29 times for 115 yards and two scores.
“Getting better and better,” Applebee said.
MV has delivered a nice tandem in the backfield with senior Reice Kennedy and sophomore Tristan Baker. Kennedy has 39 carries for 331 yards, and Baker has 26 carries for 155 yards.
Mill Valley returned senior returning starters at wide receiver with Kendrick Jones and Jared Napoli. They have combined for seven catches. Six players have caught a pass. Applebee knew the offensive line was going to be a challenge with all new starters. Mill Valley continued to focus on its own personnel and the offensive line has paved holes for 5.9 yards per carry.
Six-foot-2 senior Ryan Fulcher starts at left tackle. 6-foot junior Jack Melvin is at left guard. Junior 6-1 Ty Marsh is at center. Sophomore Blake Neis (6-0, 200) is at right guard. Sophomore 6-5 Mason Kemp is at right tackle.
“Really shown a lot of improvement,” Applebee said.
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