Cats, Titans have big matchup of their own

Keeston Terry, the all-state wide receiver who will play a key role in the success of the Blue Springs High School football team this year, is psyched up.
“We’re ready to hit someone in a different colored jersey,” Terry said before a recent practice session.
When Terry’s buddy, quarterback Jared Lanpher asked, “What about the jamboree (where Blue Springs practiced against Grandview, Truman and Odessa in a team setting)?”
Terry looked at him and replied, “I mean for real. Not some glorified practice session. It’s time to play. We’re ready. Let’s go.”
During most high school football season-opening weekends, a matchup between perennial Class 5 power Blue Springs and defending Class 4 state champion Lee’s Summit West would attract a lot of the attention.
But most of the spotlights are shining on the south side of Blue Springs this week.
“Isn’t there that little matchup between Blue Springs South and Rockhurst on Sunday morning?” joked Blue Springs coach Kelly Donohoe, referring to the ESPN nationally televised contest between the last two state champions at Larry Stewart Memorial Stadium.
“We’re happy to be under the radar right now. But I told our kids that they better be ready to play against West because that team does things right.”
West is coming off a perfect 14-0 season, but it moving up a class from the Suburban Small Six to the Middle Six and from Class 4 to Class 5.
“Oh my goodness, that opener is going to be a real challenge,” West coach Royce Boehm said. “I know Coach Donohoe has a world of talent on that team, and it’s going to be a great way to see where we stand early in the season.
“They have offensive weapons in Lanpher and Terry and that new running back (sophomore Darrian Miller) looks like he’s going to be a big part of that offense. And their defense is fast.”
Donohoe is known for his innovative offensive schemes, but he seems sold on the Wildcats defense.
“It might be the fastest unit we’ve ever had,” Donohoe said. “Now, I’m not talking about talent – because a lot of the guys are new – but when it comes to athleticism and speed, these guys might be the best we’ve had.”
And the offense shouldn’t skip a beat after Lanpher’s trial under fire in 2007. He took over as the starting quarterback when Bransen Ireland broke a bone in his foot in the jamboree and the then-sophomore signal caller led the Wildcats to an 8-3 season.
“We all respected Jared last year,” Terry said, “because he was in a tough situation. But he really grew and matured and became a great quarterback. With that experience, he could be something this year.”
Throw Miller into the mix, along with 246-pound fullback Gus Toca and the Titans could have their hands full.
“You know, we’re so young that everyone comes up to me and talks about next year,” Donohoe said. “At Blue Springs, there is no ‘next year,’ there’s this year. And I think we’re going to be a pretty good team.
“Coach (Tim) Dade is doing a wonderful job with the defense, we aren’t having to dumb down the offense because Jared has a year under his belt and we’ve got some talented kids out there.”