Kansas Pregame Feature: Olathe North looking for payback against Free State
By: Robert Falkoff
Kansas Pregame.com
Posted: October 7, 2009 - 3:48 PM

It's Payback Week for the Olathe North Eagles.

Last year, as they were zooming toward what they hoped would be their first Kansas 6A state championship since 2003, the Eagles had those dreams abruptly dashed in a 10-6 playoff loss to Lawrence Free State. Olathe North was forced to pack away the gear and watch from a distance as Free State's November march culminated with a trip to the title game against eventual champion Junction City.

The Eagles resolved to be better, not bitter. They simply went to work with spirit and determination in the weight room and have come back with a vengeance this year, ringing up a 5-0 record. Now comes the opportunity for payback, as Olathe North prepares to travel to Lawrence Free State on Friday night.

“That's going to be a tremendous test for us, to go up to their new facility and play them on the road,” Olathe North coach Pete Flood said. “We'll get a real good measuring stick about where we are after next week.”

The Eagles warmed up for Lawrence Free State by romping past an outmanned Shawnee Mission North team 42-0 on Oct. 2. With the game out of hand, Flood was able to rest star running back James Franklin down the stretch. That means Franklin's sturdy legs should be fresh and ready to challenge the Free State defense. While he was on the field against Shawnee Mission North, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Franklin racked up 200 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

Franklin now has 4,170 career rushing yards and is 1,060 yards behind the mark left by Darren Sproles, who represents the gold standard by which all Olathe North running backs are measured. Sproles finished his Olathe North career in 2000 before finding fame with Kansas State University and the San Diego Chargers.

“Darren is special.” Flood said. “James is kind of carving his own niche out there. Where that ends up, we don't know yet. But he certainly does some very good things in his own right.”

Lawrence Free State will have to brace for Franklin going left, Franklin going right and Franklin up the middle. Against Shawnee Mission North, Franklin showed not only speed and shifty moves, but also relentless leg drive after contact. On numerous occasions, he bounced off or simply ran through would-be tacklers.

Flood can use Franklin in a conventional formation behind quarterback David Blazevic or in the now-popular Wildcat set where he takes the direct snap and runs to daylight.

“James has great balance and he runs low to the ground,” Flood said. “He's a strong kid who works hard in the weight room. You can see that out there, for sure.”

While Franklin has been drawing interest from various colleges, Flood doesn't have a feel at this point for where his top offensive performer might wind up playing on Saturdays.

“Whoever picks him up is going to get a pretty good football player,” Flood said. “I think James can gain yards when you put the ball in his hands. Whether that's at Division I, Division II or wherever, he's going to give somebody a unique, dynamic back. I think he's awfully good and we're just glad he's on our team.”

While Franklin looks to boost his college stock, there's no mystery about where OL-DL Lucas Vincent will be next August. Vincent has already committed to play for the Missouri Tigers.

“They are getting a great kid,” Flood said. “Lucas is young and very strong and he's got some explosiveness.”

Franklin, Vincent and a flock of other solid players are hoping to create more lasting memories before they leave Olathe North. The players on this year's team grew up watching Olathe North collect seven state titles in an eight-year span from 1996 through 2003.

Flood took over the head coaching duties in 2007 and Eagles' fans will find out in October and November whether this is Flood's best team to date.

“One thing I'm really proud of is that these kids come out and play hard every snap,” Flood said. “Now, we just have to work on playing smart every snap as well. That's where we're trying to go.”

With their red and royal blue colors flying, the Eagles will try to make a statement this Friday. A win over Free State could be a true springboard to state playoff success.

“We were disappointed after that loss to Free State last year, but it gave the returning players a lot of motivation to take the next step this year,” Flood said. “Our kids aren't satisfied. We're five games into this thing now, and just looking to stay on track toward meeting our goals."