South Sports Report: KC Chiefs, Avila Eagles and the winning Center Yellowjackets

Photo: Most of the Avila Eagles seniors were a part of the 0-11 season as freshmen. They will end their careers with a winning season.

Chiefs get upset, Avila coach talks strategy & Center goes to State Quarterfinals!

By Sam Kombrink

Chiefs fans were eager to see the return of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who laced up his cleats for the November 10th game after suffering a dislocated right knee cap week 7 in Denver. What Chiefs fans did not expect was a loss in Nashville. 

The Chiefs were upset by Tennessee Titans on Sunday by a score of 35-32. The Chiefs were leading 32-27, then on a fourth down field goal, Dustin Colquitt was called for intentional grounding. “I’ll take responsibility for the loss. We were in a position to close it, and we didn’t get that done. We were too sloppy,” said head coach Andy Reid. Miscommunication, a banged up offensive line, and poor defense was the cause of Sunday’s loss. 

Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah tore his right pectoral muscle and will be out for the season. Ogbah has totaled 29 tackles, three pass break-ups and a team leading 4.5 sacks.

The Chiefs could use the return of defensive end Alex Okafor, who is looking to return from an ankle injury, and cornerback Kendall Fuller, who could very much help out the secondary once he returns from a thumb injury. 

Next week the Chiefs (6-4) will travel to Mexico City to take on the Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) on Monday Night Football. 

Avila Seniors go out as winners 

The Avila University Football team has had another winning season (6-3) under head coach Marc Benavidez. I had the opportunity to ask him some questions regarding his second season at Avila. 

Who has made a big impact recently?

“Guys have been executing and have really performed great as a whole. Early in the season we saw one side of the ball execute at a time, now we are seeing everyone click on all three phases of the game.”

What are you looking to execute and build on against McPherson? 

“We need to be able to control the line of scrimmage. They try to bring pressure on the quarterback. And we have to be able to run the ball and protect our quarterback. Defensively we will want to make them one dimensional. They have a talented quarterback and we can’t let him beat us.”

With Saturday being Senior Day, how important is the senior leadership?

“Senior leadership is huge. Most of the current group of seniors were a part of the 0-11 season as freshmen. Seeing where they have been, and what they have been able to accomplish the last two seasons is astonishing. We want to win this game for them!” 

Despite not winning the KCAC conference, the Eagles will miss out on the playoffs, but they will still be able to say that they had a winning season.

Saturday, November 16, will be Senior Day for the Avila Eagles football team as they will look to go out as winners against a (5-5) McPherson team. Let’s support the senior class and pack the “Z” on Saturday.

High School Sports 

Lutheran Cross Country 

The Knights of Lutheran High School will look to repeat as State Champions in Cross Country. 

Rockhurst says goodbye

The legendary coaching career of Tony Severino comes to an end. Severino coached at Rockhurst High School for 37 years, with a final coaching record of 345-92-1, and winning seven State Championships. Tony Severino is regarded as the most successful coach in Kansas City high school football history.

Center goes to State Quarterfinals

Center (10-1) will play in the Missouri Class 3, District 7 State Quarterfinals against Odessa (11-0) on Friday, November 15, at 7 pm at Odessa High School, 713 S 3rd St., in Odessa.