Friday night lights: Olathe North, Tonganoxie notch wins on Kansas side of metro

Here’s a look at highlights from some big Kansas-side high school football games around the KC metro on Friday night.

Olathe North 42, Lawrence 34

Olathe North earned its first win of the year in crazy fashion.

The host Eagles, who had sputtered to a rare 0-2 start this season, outlasted Lawrence in a game that was tied 14-all at halftime.

That’s when the action really heated up. First, junior running back Blaise Adger darted in for a 16-yard touchdown and a 21-14 Olathe North lead.

Lawrence, which opened the season 2-0 and is ranked No. 8 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, answered with a TD by Taj Edwards. But Adger put North ahead again with another TD of his own.

The game swung for good when junior cornerback Sam Simmons’ pick-6 made it 35-21. Banks Bowen answered for the visitors with a 12-yard TD pass to junior Jaxon Becker, but Adger raced for a 41-yard TD — his 4th of the game — to seal it.

The final TD for Lawrence (2-1) was a Bowen-to-Becker connection from 5 yards out.

Olathe North will play host Shawnee Mission East next Friday, while Lawrence is set to entertain Gardner Edgerton.

Tonganoxie 14, Lansing 13

An early fireworks display from Tanner Hand sparked Tonganoxie to victory.

Hand scored twice early for the Chieftains, running loose for touchdowns of 34 and 51 yards. The latter gain stands as the senior’s longest carry of the season to date.

Hand kept running and finished with 17 carries for 137 yards — in the first half.

Lansing did not go away, however. Braden Jackson returned an interception in the red zone and darted 70 yards for a Lions TD with 9:21 remaining until halftime. Then Jackson Pollard forced a fumble for Lansing and Jaxon Pollard punched in a 10-yard TD run to make it 14-13.

A defensive struggle consumed much of the second half, but Reid Oakley’s 47-yard strike to Makhi Butler brought Lansing to the Tongie 17. The Lions actually made it all the way to the 1 before a fumble sealed the outcome.

Tonganoxie will play Paola (0-3) next Friday, while Lansing meets Topeka West (0-3).

For scores, stats, recaps, rankings, broadcasts and more, visit 810Varsity.com.