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Kevin Haskin: Mid-month musings for October

By KEVIN HASKIN

TopSports.news

Musings at the mid-month:

-- Has anyone noticed who leads the Chiefs in tackles?

-- Why that would be Daniel Sorensen with 35 total and 26 solo stops.

-- Makes you think, someone and something other than Sorensen and his shortcomings hinders that unit.

-- Yes, I know, many of Sorensen’s flaws are evident in pass coverage, and he tends to miss tackles.

-- And yes, I know that this whole mystery of why Juan Thornhill does not play more snaps is wacky.

-- Yet if Sorensen is still your tackling leader, then opponents are rumbling into the secondary far too often.

-- Why? Poor coverage. And, others are missing far too many tackles or woefully out of position.

-- We can all see that from a Chiefs defense operating off one principle, “guess we better blitz now.”

-- The defensive woes are all too much to bear for Patrick Mahomes, whose Superman cape frays when he starts pressing.

-- He’s still outstanding, the face of the franchise, and the key to a turnaround that better begin with wins in each of the next three games.

-- Face it. The Chiefs have looked distracted since the head coach’s impaired son crashed his truck into another vehicle and severely injured an innocent girl.

-- Kansas City has not been the same team since.

-- Andy Reid can disappoint us sometimes, including off the field.

-- His refusal to take questions pertaining to Jon Gruden, and the emails that led to the Las Vegas coach’s resignation, should be categorized as weak.

-- “There’s nothing going to be gained by me with my remarks,” said Reid, apparently afraid to take a stand despite coaching two franchises to 100 victories.

-- At this point in his NFL career, Reid has the stature to make a credible point on NFL matters.

-- Of course, not everyone would have accepted whatever comment Reid might have made.

-- On Sunday, the Chiefs play in a town where lack of consensus is even reflected in the nickname of its NFL Football Team.

-- For years no Kansas fan I know gets altogether excited about the Jayhawks being picked first in the Big 12 preseason basketball poll.

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Rossville stays undefeated with hard-earned 24-19 win over Eagles

Isaac Deer

By ISAAC DEER

TopSports.news

The “War on 24” could’ve been the most highly anticipated matchup of the year, with the No. 1-ranked Rossville Bulldawgs traveling five miles to battle with their rival, No. 2-ranked Silver Lake.

Silver Lake had won four out of the last five appearances heading into Friday night, but Eagles couldn’t keep the hot streak going as the Bulldawgs came from behind for a 24-19 win in front of a packed house at Silver Lake.

Rossville Derrick Hammes knew Friday would be the biggest stress test of the season for the undefeated Bulldawgs, now 7-0.

“We finally were faced with some adversity,'' Hammes said. "We knew how tough this team (Silver Lake) was. We executed the game plan well and I thought we did a good job.”

CoreyCatronSLRossville senior Corey Catron flashes the No. 1 sign as he scores a touchdown in the Bulldawgs' 24-19 win over rival Silver Lake Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The defenses for both sides played a big part in the contest early.

Silver Lake was able to drive the ball down the field on the first drive of the game but Rossville denied the Eagles from scoring.

On the other side, Rossville was able to take a 3-0 lead on a 29-yard Pedro Arantes field goal on the first drive for the Bulldawgs.

In the second quarter, Rossville quarterback Torrey Horak turned up the volume. A series of quick slant passes, bubble screens, draws and option runs took the Dawgs down to Eagle territory in the middle of the second quarter.

Horak ended off the drive by running it in for a 2-yard rushing touchdown. This would give Rossville a 10-0 lead at the half.

Rossville was put in a tough situation during Friday’s contest, with Horak leaving the game due to an upper-body injury.

After the injury, Silver Lake took advantage of the situation and put up a couple of quick touchdowns to take a lead.

DaiganKrugerSilver Lake quarterback Daigan Kruger ran for two touchdowns and threw for a TD in the Eagles' 24-19 loss to Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Silver Lake quarterback Daigan Kruger and running back Brogan Renfro didn’t make life easy for the Bulldawgs, coming up with big plays to spark the Eagles' offense.

Senior running back Corey Catron stepped up to the plate for Rossville with his front five offensive linemen and went to work.

Catron stepped in to play quarterback and made clutch passes followed by huge chunk running plays to help key Rossville's win..

After Friday's heartbreaking loss, Silver Lake (5-2) will hit the road and take on a tough Pleasant Ridge (5-2) team. Rossville (7-0) will make the trip up to Mission Valley (2-5) and collide with the Vikings.

“We are looking forward to a great week of practice,'' Hammes said. "We have some work to do, but I think tonight was a step in the right direction.”

ROSSVILLE 24, SILVER LAKE 19

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