>> 2019 Olathe North schedule <<

Olathe North fell just shy on the doorstep of the Kansas Class 6A title game a year ago. The Eagles look to take that final step in 2019.

Olathe North finished 9-3 in 2018, losing in a 51-49 shootout to Blue Valley North in the 6A semifinals.

“We would like to pick up where we left off, and improve each week,” said Olathe North head coach Chris McCartney. “If we do that, we’ll put ourselves in a position to go deep into the playoffs.”

The Eagles return a strong cast, including one of the top players in the Metro - junior Arland Bruce IV (5-foot-11, 185), who piled up 1,209 passing yards and 16 touchdowns with a 120.6 rating at quarterback as a sophomore, as well as rushing for 1,379 yards and 19 scores.  Bruce will lead another otherwise young backfield, as Olathe North will need to replace 2,409 rushing yards from Daymonn’ Sanchez, who graduated.

The Eagles nearly the entire offensive line, with senior Marion Schneider (5-foot-11, 245), a three-year starter, senior Michael Vernon Jr (5-foot-11, 245) – both “smart, tough, hard workers” pe McCartney.

Fellow seniors Brandon Pena (6-foot-1, 255) and Andrew Dunning (5-foot-10, 225) also return.

Junior Zach Willoughby-Neal will line up at wide receiver, as the Eagles lost their top five receivers from last year.

Senior linebackers AJ Patillo (99 tackles – six for a loss) and Mason Ride (50 tackles) will lead the defense.

Willoughby-Neal leads the special teams at kicker and punter.