Wash, rinse, repeat here we go again: This is the SEVENTH straight year these two have played twice but just the third since the new Sheriff arrived in KTown. Last year was close for about one half of the first quarter then Kearney completely dominated from then on, something I expect this go around.
FACTORS FAVORING SMITHVILLE:
1) Since the Warriors joined the Suburban Blue in 2018 they have been to FOUR final fours and won ONE championship three years ago PLUS have not been eliminated by a public school any of those runs. In other words this is now one of Missouri's ELITE HSFB programs and that will be extremely difficult for Kearney to overcome Friday.
2) HC spears probably has assembled the best staff in the KC Metro, leaving most of his vets intact from Coach As exit (a major, major mouthful) and their experience will pay off in key moments in any game.
3) The confidence factor. Smithville is 10-3vs. Kearney since the aforementioned joining the Sub Blue. I sincerely doubt anyone over that way believes that trend will change any time soon.
4.) If Smithville didn’t throw a pick 6 and bleed out on special teams the first game of the year it could have been a completely different game…
5.)The blowout rematch factor. I warn, warn and warn about this every season and many times it verifies. Even the elite teams tend to drop just a smidge when rematching a team they either blew away the season prior or earlier in the same one. Minnick won't be able to sell the "us vs. the World underdog" narrative this time around.
FACTORS FAVORING KEARNEY:
1.) Eye test, Kearney’s team looks like they live in the weight room. Serious explosion coming off these kids all over the field. State record Javelin thrower Theo Grace, state champion thrower Ty Smith, 400lb bench, 365 Clean beaver twins. Speed and toughness everywhere and these guys look hungry
2.) All around athleticism. This program is definitely on the upswing and not just at the aforementioned Senior level. The RB corps is deep and talented so are the D Linemen and LBs and everyone knows about their prowess in other sports (please no Joey comments, thanks!). The DBs and WRs look legit and they’re spreading the ball everywhere.
3.) Championship offense that can run everywhere all game and we haven’t seen half of minnicks tricks yet. Minnick wastes your time getting you to prepare for bulsht and then just runs it down your throat and that’s a problem.
4.) since #8 has been out Kearney has had kids step up all over the offense. 17, 5 and their TE look to be able to play and they can ram 6 and 24 down your throat and are going to be able to throw it over the top to 8 and 19 come playoff times!
So given all those items what are the concerns I've seen this year you ask? Here are a couple key ones:
Smithville is not playing nearly as well this year as the past three years. I am particularly concerned about their ability to play special teams, throw the ball and overall offensive toughness. This showed itself vs. Platte city in particular, a game Sville quit. I also think their offense is intimidated by the Beavers and Theo. Those guys bullied Smithville all game and got better throughout the year. Smithville is not playing the same Kearney team they played week 3.
Kearneys QB has shown at times he’s incapable of completing a screen pass. He threw an INT on his first throw vs Wtonka. The weak side end (47)on Kearney is a liability that I would run at every play until he stops the run. He’s lost containment on almost every snap this season his side and ends up 10 yards downfield anytime they run at him. He looks like he can’t wait to quit and I would punish him until he does.
OVERALL SYNOPSIS: My expectations going into this game are polar opposite of last year when I all but knew Sville had awakened the purple monster in the regular season and they would have to match an extreme energy level to have a chance. Next Friday I expect Sville to know it’s over before it starts, wouldn’t surprise me if some of their guys quit before the game and focus on baseball early in game that could actually resemble, score wise, the Smithville-Platte County beatdown from which the Warriors quit. As posted earlier my heart says Smithville will keep it close but my head says Kearney slaughters the sickly, sheep and moves on to state. Kearney 49 - Smithville 0
Minnick sends a message in this one before the much awaited LN matchup that will be one for the ages.
Whatever happens GOOD LUCK to both fine teams, staffs and communities! It should be lots and lots of fun on a perfect evening for HSFB!
HSFB ended in MO one week ago BUT not nearly over in the Lone Star State