Coming full circle

OLATHE – You can call it a comeback.

While tomorrow's 2A state championship game is the first for Olathe head coach Ryan Corn as a head coach, he's familiar with the territory. Twelve years ago Corn played as tight end, defensive end, punter and kicker on the Florence High School team that lost to Palisade High School in the 1996 state championship.

As the Pirates gear up to face off against the Erie Tigers in the 2A state championship tomorrow, Olathe head coach Ryan Corn knows no matter the outcome, it will be a season to remember, just like his days as a player in Florence.

"To get this far, I hold this team dearest to my heart," Corn said. "I'm going to remember these guys for the rest of my life."

There is no question this season is memorable, as Olathe has managed to go undefeated (13-0) by crushing nearly all of its opponents along the way. Corn said the Pirates have truly earned every bit of success they have had so far.

"My philosophy as coach has been to keep it simple," Corn said. "Hard work will pay off and the team has proven it. They put in the extra time. They kept pushing themselves."

The Pirates began their season last summer with extensive weight lifting and conditioning before the regular season kicked off in August. Corn said the team's one game at a time attitude has paid off and that all the players were doing their part.

However, one can't help but notice the strength in Olathe's defense, which didn't allow any team to score more than three touchdowns in a game all year. Defense is what Corn said has played a big factor in the team's success.

On the offensive side, Corn said he was proud of his offensive line.

"The offensive line does a great job. They are work horses," Corn said.

The offensive line's protection has allowed multiple OHS running backs like David Rhodes and Marvin Rivera of OHS to rush for over 1,000 yards this season, which Corn said was impressive.

Preparing for the Tigers, Corn said he couldn't help but notice their size.

"They are bigger than us," the coach said. "Most of the year we outsized our opponents. So the game is going to be about if we're conditioned and about who makes the least amount of mistakes."

Corn said as a player who played in the state championship game in 1996, he would tell his guys to do their best to get over their nerves and just play football

He also said knowing he had the support of Montrose and Olathe has been extra motivation for the coaches and the players.

"These guys deserve it," Corn said. "Both communities have been super supporters and it's exciting, every minute of it."

The Pirates will battle the Tigers at 11 a.m. tomorrow in Aurora.

The Daily Press will air the state title game live on our Web site, www.montrosepress.com. Managing editor Bill Swaim and circulation manager Phil Ashley will provide color commentary for the webcast while Chris Kennedy, Daily Press MIS, will man the camera. The webcast is free, thanks to area sponsors. For instructions, click on the red tab at the top of our web page.

For stories and photos from the game, see Sunday's Daily Press.