Prospect Matchup: Top Regional Games in the KC Area

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The start to the postseason was slightly uneventful in the Kansas City area. The <em>Regional Round</em> however, shapes up to be an entertaining night of action. For the most part all of the top seeds in KC and surrounding counties are still alive, but they will be tested this week. Not to mention there are multiple rematches that will be taking place. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For this <em>Regional Round</em> edition of <em>Prospect Matchup</em> we'll be breaking down two games from the 6A bracket and one from Class 5A. Both 6A games are rematches between league rivals, and the lone 5A game is a David vs. Goliath type of matchup. Be sure to not miss out on the action. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Olathe East (6A) 6-3 @ SMNW (6A) 7-2</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Had the pleasure of scouting these two programs back in Week 5, and that game ended up being a fairly competitive one. This second meeting looks to have a similar type of feel to it. Olathe East heads into the rematch coming off a gutsy opening round win over Olathe North, and Shawnee Mission Northwest enters the game as one of the hottest teams in Class 6A. For Olathe East, it'll be interesting to see what adjustments they've made since the first meeting. For SMNW, beating a league rival twice won't be easy. But then again, it's tough for an opponent to beat a team that's been clicking on all cylinders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Players to Watch</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The players to keep an eye on in this one are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1217915' first='Carter' last='Gooding'] (OE) and [player_tooltip player_id='350827' first='Logan' last='Morley'] (SMNW). Northwest's secondary had a tough time containing Gooding in the first meeting. Look for East to try and get him going early. On the other side, Morley was the <em>Player of the Game</em> back in Week 5 because of some key runs that helped Northwest pull away. SMNW may get him more involved in their rushing attack this time around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Spring Hill (5A) 8-1 @ Mill Valley (5A) 8-1</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although these two teams don't see each other often, they are no strangers when it comes to the playoffs. The Spring Hill Broncos and the Mill Valley Jaguars have faced off in the postseason twice since 2020. Neither game was particularly close, but this year the Broncos are determined to give the reigning state champions trouble. The Jaguars on the other hand are looking to inch closer to a sixth straight 5A title. Will Mill Valley advance to the <em>Sectional Round</em> yet again, or will Spring Hill shock folks across the state? Find out tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Players to Watch</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams play a physical brand of football, so two players that will be huge for their respective teams are [player_tooltip player_id='1115511' first='Beau' last='Gardner'] (SH) and [player_tooltip player_id='1310981' first='Reggie' last='Reece'] (MV). Gardner has been the heart and soul of the Broncos' defense this season, as he leads the team in total tackles with over 60. Reece has been absolutely sensational in his first season as the feature back for the Jaguars, and has landed on the radar of multiple D-I programs. Get your popcorn ready when these two collide. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">SME (6A) 5-4 @ Gardner-Edgerton (6A) 8-1</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another <em>Sunflower League</em> rematch folks should consider attending is the matchup between the Shawnee Mission East Lancers and the Gardner-Edgerton Trailblazers. Much like the first game in this report, these two squads also met in Week 5. The reigning 6A state champions have been tested multiple times this season, and one of the teams that didn't make things easy for the Trailblazers were the Lancers. This second meeting should be another competitive game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Players to Watch</em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have multiple offensive playmakers, but two that could make a difference in this one are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='352340' first='Nate' last='Phillips'] (SME) and [player_tooltip player_id='1115438' first='Tim' last='Chartier'] (GE). Phillips' toughness is a testament to the grit this Lancer squad plays with. After missing multiple games due to injury, Phillips returned in the first round and rushed for over 100 yards. The Trailblazers and Lancers share a similar offensive scheme, but the Trailblazers' passing game is a bit more explosive thanks to Chartier. He's a dangerous wideout that SME will want to account for, as he's averaging around 24 yards per catch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->