by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Ten things to know about Sumner County football for week #5…

1. On slate this week…

2. 90 points? Are we talking 90 points?

This was the score posted by Argonia-Attica last week when it beat Pratt-Skyline 90-52. Even in eight-man football where arena football games in comparison are low-scoring affairs, that is a lot. Which begs us to wonder. If a football team scores over 100 points does the scoreboard have a third digit?

3. So how did it happen? 

A@A co-head coach Luke Greenwood, who hails from Argonia, has the numbers. The Titans had 15 possessions – 13 of them resulted into touchdowns. Of those 13 – eight of them were passing, four of them were rushing and there was one defensive touchdown.

“They loaded the box trying to prevent our run,” Greenwood said. “So we were able to pass on them. The score was a little misleading. Yes, we scored a lot of touchdowns but there was some defensive stops.”

Well, maybe. Hard to argue for defense when 142 points are scored in one game.

Nevertheless it illustrates the kind of offense the two-year program runs. The offense is a pistol formation run out of a shot gun with one running back behind the quarterback. The key to Argonia’s offense is its versatility. It is one reason why the team is 4-0.

4. The rise was quick…

As many of you know A&A is a combination of two separate schools Argonia and Attica, who are rivals in every other sport, but came together just because neither school was big enough to form a football team.

And boy were they struggling. Argonia and Attica could barely get 10 players on the roster and were using trash cans as opposition in practice squads. As a result neither school on the gridiron won more than one or two games.

“It was tough because we couldn’t replicate a football team scenario in practice,” Greenwood said. “As a result, a lot of kids didn’t want to go out. And when you have players playing all the time, you get more injuries. It was a vicious circle.”

Fast forward to today. A&A has 22 players out. They can have a full-fledged practice. The younger guys can play junior varsity. And the varsity has enough players that a coach has versatility. While most play both ways, players can take a breather from time to time. It is a great atmosphere to be in.

“Kids want to be out,” Greenwood said. “We have some boys on the team, who wouldn’t play football a couple years ago.”

So what about the fan base? Are they used to having to share their football team with the neighboring town?

“Well, I don’t think a lot of people were thrilled with it when we first started,” Greenwood said. “But they like the fact we are winning. If we weren’t winning I’m sure you would have a lot more people grumbling about the decision.”

5. The personnel…

It is a unique set up in Argonia/Attica where Greenwood and Lance Vandeveer of Attica are co-coaches. There is not one head. Greenwood heads up the offense. Vandeveer heads up the defense.

A&A is led by Alec McDaniel, who goes to the Attica school, after his dad moved from Argonia to Attica for employment purposes a few years back. He’s not a big kid, a 5-7, 150 pound junior but is extremely smart and knows how to run the offense downfield.

“He has a good feel for the field, and knows when to run and when to pass,” Greenwood said. “It also helps he has an offensive line that can open up big holes for him.”

He is complimented by Garrett Wells (6-0, 145, sr.) and Devon Newberry (6-3, 180, jr.) who run the football and occasionally spread to a wideout position.

The A&A team has six seniors and seven juniors, from a squad that was 4-5 last season in its inaugural season.

6. Caldwell is next…

Coaches don’t like to predict, but here is one prediction Greenwood can safely make.

“We won’t be scoring 90 points,” Greenwood said. “Their defense is good.”

The Titans and Bluejays will be one of those classic Sumner County (with Harper County mixed in) matches that fans of eight-man football have come accustomed to. Caldwell is 3-1. A&A is 4-0.

Not only is it huge because both teams have incurred success this season and want to keep up the momentum, but it is the district opener.

“Whoever wins this game will definitely have a leg up in district,” Greenwood said. “The other team will be chasing the rest of the way.”

Caldwell has been holding opponents under two touchdowns a game, A&A is scoring points by the bushels. Something will have to give Friday night.

7. In other SCBL news…

Oxford has had two weeks of famine and feast. After getting blown out by Udall, the Wildcats turned around and beat Flinthills 58-0. This week Cedar Vale-Dexter comes to town for its district opener. The Spartans were 38-6 losers to Caldwell, but gave A&A a good game in week #2. Could be a good game.

8. South Haven goes west…

The battle of the “South” – South Haven travels to South Barber. Over the years, this matchup has produced some sensationally classic games.

Both programs are a bit down this year. South Haven is 1-3 and hoping to break a two-game losing streak.

9. Trip to Independent…

Wichita Independent is proof that private schools can field bad football teams. The school is 0-4 and have been outscored 229-32.

Conway Springs will feast in this one.

10. Douglass revenge…

The last time Belle Plaine won on the gridiron it was against Douglass 19-14 in 2012. Since then the Dragons have gone on a 14-game losing streak. Douglass comes into the game at 1-3.

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