The Wichita Heights Falcons (12-0) and the Olathe North Eagles (11-1) will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at Washburn University’s Yager Stadium for a rematch of last year’s Class 6A state championship game.
However, it’s a rematch that almost didn’t happen.
After 12 minutes of action in last Friday’s state semifinal games, this 6A title game rematch seemed like anything but a possibility. Olathe North found themselves tied with an Olathe East team that had shut them out 25-0 during the regular season, and three hours to the west, the Wichita Heights had dug themselves a seemingly insurmountable first-quarter hole at home against Dodge City.
The Eagles got a touchdown run from Adonis Saunders and two Daniel Gutierrez field goals to avenge the earlier loss to their Sunflower League rivals 13-6. The win gave North an opportunity to claim the school’s ninth state title in the past 15 years.
“We had confidence,” Olathe North coach Pete Flood said. “The players were a little embarrassed with how they played in Week 3 against Olathe East. We thought if we played well we might have a chance to meet them down the road again.”
Pete Flood is in his fifth season at Olathe North, and has compiled a 46-11 record including last season’s state championship.
North is led on the ground by quarterback Victor Simmons and running back Adonis Saunders. The two KU football commits have combined for more than 2,800 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns this season.
The Eagles will take on Rick Wheeler’s Heights squad that trailed Dodge City 28-0 after the first quarter last Friday, and 35-14 at halftime. The Falcons rallied for three third-quarter touchdowns to tie the game at 35 but found themselves down 38-35 when they got the ball back with just over two minutes remaining.
The result was an 85-yard drive capped by a 16-yard diving touchdown reception by Wichita State basketball signee Evan Wessel with just 24 seconds left remaining. It was the Falcons’ first lead of the game as they stunned Dodge City 42-38.
“We couldn’t have painted a picture of a worse start than that,” Wheeler said. “We just didn’t play well early. We tried to keep the kids positive and give them a plan at halftime. The kids stayed positive and never quit. Somehow they were able to pull it out.”
Dreamius Smith is a powerful running back who also has committed to KU. The 6-0, 205-pound senior has led the Falcons with 1,547 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. Smith has elevated his game to the tune of nearly 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the Falcon’s three playoff wins.
Daniel Deshazer has been an effective compliment to Smith out of the backfield. The 5-4, 135-pound Deshazer, who has committed to Oklahoma to wrestle, has added 1,075 yards and 14 rushing scores for the Falcons.
Olathe North beat Heights 37-3 in last year’s state title game, but Flood knows the Falcons are improved.
“They’re a year older. They have the Smith kid back. He’s always one carry away from going the distance and scoring. Matt Reed has really developed into a good quarterback.”
Heights’ players are excited to have a second chance against North.
“Anytime you have a loss to an opponent, you want to avenge that loss,” Wheeler said.
“We’re certainly not calling out Olathe North, but when you lose you always like a chance to even that score up.”
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