Varsity Kansas - The Blog

            Before we get lost in the shuffle of this week’s high school and college games, let us pause for a moment to observe what may be a unique event in the history of football in Kansas.

            (Okay…now take yourself off “pause.”)

            KU’s Jake Sharp, from Salina Central High School, ran for 118 yards.  K-State’s Logan Dold, from Garden Plain, ran for 115.

Have there ever been hundred yard rushing performances on the same day by two Kansas-bred running backs for KU and K-State?

            I don’t have the answer.  Perhaps someone more knowledgeable (or less lazy) can research it.

            I did take a look at the top Kansan running backs in KU and K-State history…and there aren’t that many who have significant statistics.

            KU had Curtis McClinton (Wichita North), John Riggins (Centralia), Laverne Smith (Wichita Southeast), Eric Vann (El Dorado) and Brandon McAnderson (Lawrence).

            K-State had Don Calhoun (Wichita North) and Darren Sproles (Olathe North).

            Perhaps you can remember some others.  Perhaps this feat has been done before.  But I’m willing to bet an Orange Whip it hasn’t.

By: J. Long

As I look over to my right and see the large stack of basketball surveys that I have to make copies of, I’m reminded that even in the midst of important football games, state tournaments in golf and tennis, and soccer it’s almost time to look at basketball.

In there spirit of that here’s a little something about P.E. that might interest some of you.

I love basketball season. I love the sport. It’s indoors. And it’s two games. You can’t beat that.

So what would you like to read about going into basketball season? Who are some of the players that we should be looking at? Who do you think will win the City League title? Who’s the best: dunker, PG, Big man, 3-point shooter, defender, hustle-man, coach and team?

I heard Kansas is a basketball state so I’m looking to what should be pretty good basketball.

By: J. Long

I’m a huge fan of the Hip-Hop culture and rap music so I’m very excited that the self-proclaimed “King of the South,” T.I. will be in concert at the Kansas Coliseum on Saturday November 15.

However, during half-time of Friday’s Bishop Carroll vs. Kapaun Mount Carmel football game, Wichita got an unexpected visit from a different king.

Though he had downsized from his usual royal garb, the King sporting Khaki shorts, no shirt, and his cape and crown sprinted from end zone to end zone pointing into the sky trying to get a rise out of the bewildered crowd. The King gave a picture-perfect Heisman pose before climbing the Cessna Stadium fence into the parking lot.

Surely fearing the enormous amount of paparazzi that follow him, he jumped into the back seat of a white car with tinted windows and drove away.

Hats off to the King who helped make a great game, even better.

By: J. Long

I’ve been to a couple of Northwest soccer games this season, however somehow I missed that the Grizzlies have two Jonathan Long’s on their team. That’s right not one, but two.

No wait, they have a Jonathan Long (senior) and a Johathan Long (freshman). I’m still claiming it though.

As vain* as I can be, I don’t understand how I missed this.

Two Jonathan Long’s seriously this team is blessed. LOL.

*{Editor Note: I did have vain spelled vein. I was wrong, sorry for the mistake.}

by joanna

So I get a press release from the U.S. Army All-American Selection Bowl. But it’s kind of a secretive press release because I just can’t figure out who the player is that it’s talking about.

Can you help me?

(more…)

By J. Long

Here we go soccer fans. Rose Hill at Trinity, today at 4 p.m.

Rose Hill is the No. 1 ranked team in Class 4-1A, while Trinity is right behind them at No. 2. I love a No. 1 vs. No. 2 match-up.  

This is Rose Hill’s chance to really show everyone just how good it is. The Rockets - the only undefeated team left in the state - are very fast and play with a very exciting, fast-pasted offensive attack. Austin Walls is one of the premiere offensive threats in the area. I wonder if yesterday’s storm has taken a toll on the Trinity field? The Knights are a very strong and are pretty physical. Their height and strength could give the Rockets some problems inside the box.

These match-up reminds me a lot of the Southeast-Kapaun rivalry in the City League. And if that is indeed the case, today’s match should be pretty good.

I’ve had this game circled in my calendar for quite some time. What other games should people be paying attention to today?

By: J. Long

Northwest 17, Southeast 14.

Northwest coach Weston Schartz loves to let me know that he pays attention when we pick against his Grizzlies. Especially when they win.

Tonight was the first time that I got a chance to see the Buffaloes and honestly, I came away unimpressed. The offense was non-existent in the first half and even though they scored twice in the second half they didn’t seem to have a real offensive rhythm as a team. Joseph Randle was the real deal. I knew he was an athlete, but I didn’t know he would be as good as he is stopping the run.

(more…)

By J.Long

Yeah, you read the name at the top correctly.

With Joanna being out most of this week, It’ll be me giving y’all a place to comment on volleyball. Since I’m busy with soccer and football, I don’t really know a lot about the volleyball teams in the area. And it’s not in my character to try and act like I do.

So here is what I’ve got.

I do know that Northwest at Carroll at 5:30 p.m. should be a pretty good one. Both are tied with Heights for the top spot in the City League, so after tonight it will be a little less crowded at the top.

Any predictions for this city league match-up?

Are there any other good match-ups tonight that people might want to check out?

Post by Jordan Bass

Kapaun scored a late touchdown but couldn’t recover the onside kick.

Post by Jordan Bass

Southeast capitalizes on the Crusader fumble and takes a seven-point advantage. Tommy Le took a hand off from Joseph Randle for a 35-yard touchdown and Randle finished the drive with the two-point conversion run. Southeast 21, Kapaun 14 after three quarters.