1. Lawrence Free State

Last week: Defeated Lawrence 28-14

The Firebirds bottled up Lawrence senior Brad Strauss and avenged a season-ending loss to the Chesty Lions from last season, making Free State the Class 6A team to beat in eastern Kansas.

2. Shawnee Mission West

Last week: Defeated Shawnee Mission Northwest 40-9

Crown ’em kids. Yes, the Vikings lost in the season’s second week to Free State, but that game didn’t count in the league standings. Officially, SM West stands alone as Sunflower League champion.

3. Lawrence

Last week: Lost to Lawrence Free State 28-14

The Chesty Lions don’t have time to sulk after losing to rival Free State in the regular season finale, a defeat that cost them a piece of the league title. Gardner Edgerton is a nightmare matchup for Lawrence.

4. Shawnee Mission East

Last week: Defeated Shawnee Mission North 49-14

The Lancers bounced back from a stinging loss to SM West and did what they had to do against SM North, but beware Olathe East in the playoffs opener. The Hawks are on a roll.

5. Olathe East

Last week: Defeated Shawnee Mission South 33-9

That early season 1-4 record seems like a long time ago by now, no doubt, as the Hawks steamrolled through district play and moved above .500. Could coach Jeff Meyers’ squad be peaking at the right time?

6. Olathe North

Last week: Defeated Olathe South 21-14

The Eagles stunned reigning Kansas 6A state champion and rival Olathe South, but was it really that stunning? Olathe North matched up well with the Falcons, and Gene Wier, well, he’s Gene Wier.

7. Olathe South

Last week: Lost to Olathe North 21-14

Eliminated from the playoffs. The Falcons backed themselves into a corner with a loss in the opening game of district play, but this time the rally came up short.

8. Shawnee Mission South

Last week: Lost to Olathe East 33-9

Eliminated from the playoffs. Solid season laying a new foundation for the Raiders. It might not have produced a playoff berth, but the improvement is evident.

9. Leavenworth

Last week: Defeated Wyandotte 62-22

Eliminated from the playoffs. Much like SM South, the team grew by leaps and bounds in Kevin Kopecky’s second season. The trick is to keep the momentum going.

10. Olathe Northwest

Last week: Lost to Gardner Edgerton 41-10

Eliminated from the playoffs. Hoping to build off a playoff appearance the year before, the Ravens took something of a step back, but that offense remains potent and the experience gained should help.

11. Shawnee Mission Northwest

Last week: Lost to Shawnee Mission West 40-9

Eliminated from the playoffs. It was an idyllic season for coach Linn Hibbs in his first campaign with the Cougars, but no doubt he learned a lot and will be better for it.

12. Shawnee Mission North

Last week: Lost to Shawnee Mission East 49-14

Eliminated from the playoffs. One of these years, coach Dennis Grayless is going to have the depth to help the Indians take a step forward. It wasn’t this year.

| Tod Palmer, tpalmer@kcstar.com

Tod Palmer, <a href="mailto:tpalmer@kcstar.com">tpalmer@kcstar.com</a>