By Randon Coffey

sports@joplinglobe.com

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — Olpe, a consensus top-five team in Kansas prep football polls, took control in the opening minutes and rolled past Baxter Springs 49-8 Friday night in a nonconference game.

From the Eagles’ first possession through the final whistle, Olpe (3-0) held the upper hand against the Lions’ defense. Olpe marched 74 yards on seven plays and set the tone early with a 54-yard completion from Matt Redeker to Josh Klumpe.

After a three-and-out from Baxter Springs, the Eagles went right back to work. Olpe pounded for 23 yards on the ground, but the drive was again sealed through the air as Redeker hit Bradley Argabright for 31 yards on the first of their two scores.

In the second quarter Baxter Springs’ defense stopped Olpe on downs at the 36. Two plays later, Cody Wren responded with a 64-yard heave to sophomore Tyler Underhill. Baxter Springs converted the 2-point conversion on a pass from Wren to Stephen Harper and was within one score midway through the second quarter.

The Lions received more momentum on the ensuing drive as a botched snap was recovered by Baxter Springs’ Kody Adams. But on the next play, Olpe regained possession on a Wren interception.

“They hit us on the big play and then they caught us on the 2-point conversion,” said Eagles head coach Chris Schmidt. “The kids responded, held them there and got that interception back.”

Olpe took the turnover, drove the ball down the field, and made it 21-8 at the half.

In the second half Baxter Springs only sustained one drive longer than six plays and gave up four more Eagle touchdowns before the mercy clock ran out the final minutes of the fourth.

“We struggled,” said Baxter Springs coach Brett Hartley. “They came out and they really kicked us tonight.”

Olpe scored three second half rushing touchdowns, two on one-yard runs by Wade Schmidt and Jake Brinkman. Josh Lambert scored on a two-yard run. The Eagles’ other points came on the second of Redeker’s connection to wideout Argabright.

“We’ve got a lot of things we have to do to get better,” Hartley said. “Each game we just look for more and more positives to come about. We’re playing a lot of young kids and they just need to be able to keep their heads up right now.”

The Lions (0-3) return to CNC League play next Friday with a road game against Northeast.