Pirates beat Monte Vista 35-0

OLATHE — The Olathe High football team defended their home turf on Friday, defeating Monte Vista 35-0 in its first home game of the season.

Head coach Ryan Corn was happy with his team's success.

"It feels good to get the first win at home," Corn said. "Feels really good."

Olathe struggled early on, as starting quarterback Garhett Jurgens was sacked and shaken up with 6:46 left in the first quarter. Keifer Wollert replaced Jurgens at quarterback, but the Pirates continued to struggle throughout the first unable to put any points on the board.

However, during the second quarter, Olathe had success making it to the end zone, as they were finally able to drive the ball to Monte Vista's 5-yard line in seven plays. Olathe's David Rhodes drove the ball in for touchdown with 4:40 left in the half, giving the Pirates the 6-0 advantage heading into the break. The extra point missed to the left.

Rhodes ran for 53 yards during first half action.

The second half was a different story. Olathe received the ball starting the second half and the Pirate's Marvin Rivera ran 88 yards for the touchdown with 11:43 left in the third. Olathe then went for two, making up for the missed field goal and held the 14-0 lead.

"Marvin had a great run right off the bat for us," Corn said.

But it didn't stop there. Olathe's defense managed to once again shutdown Monte Vista on offense, forcing them to punt. Olathe's Dylan Markley then ran 80 yards with 8:29 left in the third for touchdown. Olathe nailed its first extra point of the night, putting the Pirates up 21-0.

After Olathe's defense stopped Monte Vista once again, Vista punted. However, the snap went over Monte Vista's Myles Wiedeman's head. By the time he was able to grab the ball and punt, Olathe's Chris Brummitt blocked the ball, giving Olathe's Curtis McCormick the opportunity to run from 20 yards out for touchdown.

After another successful extra point attempt, Olathe was up 28-0 with 5:20 left in the third.

The fourth quarter only got better for Olathe, as Monte Vista's Wiedeman threw an interception on Vista's 20 on first down. The interception gave Olathe yet another chance for touchdown, as Olathe's Keifer Wollert ran in for the last touchdown of the night. An extra point shortly after, put Olathe up 35-0 by the end of the game and shutting Vista out.

Corn credited his defense and special teams to the victory. He also said assistant Coach Ben Johnson was the reason for the defense's strong play.

"Coach Johnson does a great job," Corn said. "Our defense and special teams does a great job. Our game goes through them."

Corn said the team played well, but still had work to do. "We're not even close to where we need to be," Corn said. "We still need to be better and we'll practice."

The Pirates host Roaring Fork 7 p.m. next Friday for its homecoming game.