Football Report: Avila, Center, and Chiefs

FOOTBALL REPORT

By Sam Kombink

Pools are closed, summer is over with. Now we adjust our schedules around one of the things that brings people in the community together in the autumn, football. From under the Friday night lights at local high schools, to packing the “Z” at Avila on Saturdays, to losing our voices cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Sports fans look forward to football season, and especially this one.

Avila Football 

The “Z” at Avila University was loud and rowdy. The student section was full at the east end zone with students who were ready to cheer on their football team, coming off a record of 7-3in 2018, the best in program history. 

It was a rough start against Bethel College as they scored early on a kick return. Avila then answered back with quarterback (#8) Tristan Askan dropping a dime in the corner of the end zone to wide receiver (#4) Christian Hopkins. The Eagles could not keep up with Bethel as they lost 54-34. 

The Eagles (0-2) will look for their first win on the road as they travel to Leavenworth, KS to take on St. Mary’s (0-3) before they return back to the “Z” on September 28th to take on Friends University at 1 pm.

Center Football Head Coach Bryan DeLong and the Yellowjackets football team. Photo credit Center High School.

Center Football –

Center High School Football Head Coach, Bryan DeLong has his team (3-0) to start the season, and last week Coach DeLong was awarded “Coach of the Week Honors” along with Blue Valley West Coach Josh Koerkenmeir. The award is presented by the Kansas City Chiefs, and both schools will receive a $500 player health and safety grant from the Hunt Family Foundation. 

Each school will receive a Gatorade Sideline Kit, which includes Gatorade products, bottles and coolers. Additionally, both coaches will be presented signed footballs from Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, congratulating them on their hard work. 

“We are extremely honored to be recognized by such a class organization as the Kansas City Chiefs,” DeLong said. “They have set the bar when it comes to class and winning. A truly humbling experience for the Yellowjackets.”

Center (3-0) is coming off a (41-10) win over Oak Grove, and will travel on the road on Friday to take on Van Horn High School (3-0). They return home on September 27th to take on Bolivar High School. 

Chiefs  

The Chiefs have started the season 2-0 and have done a good job of showing the rest of the NFL that they are still contenders to win the Super Bowl in Miami. Although we have our eyes on the prize, let’s take it one game at a time. The Baltimore Ravens (2-0) are coming to Arrowhead, and the last time they were here, Mahomes performed the infamous “no look” pass. 

A stat from CBS Sports says that after his performance against Oakland, Patrick Mahomes is now on pace to throw for 6,568 yards, 56 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Mahomes is currently averaging 10.7 yards per pass attempt and a touchdown on 9.1 percent of his passes. Last season Mahomes averaged 8.8 yards per pass attempt and a touchdown on 8.6 percent of his passes. He currently has thrown for 821 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions in only two games. 

I believe the Chiefs will come out victorious in a close game, with a final score of 28-24. 

Another thing to watch out for is if the Chiefs are going to be playmakers in the trade market for an all-pro cornerback like Patrick Peterson. I believe the Chiefs have the assets and leverage to make the move. Peterson’s base salary for 2019 is $11 million, and the Chiefs have $10.6 million in cap space. By trading a young player, and giving up a 2020 first round draft pick, I believe the deal can be made.