Frankie Seurer, Jr., understands all too well the curse of being a quarterback in a run-dominated offense. Seurer, a senior at Olathe South, might be the Sunflower League’s best passer, but nobody would know from his performances on Friday nights when he passes perhaps 10 times on a pass-crazy night for the Falcons’ hybrid Wing-T/Veer Option offense.

“It doesn’t really bother me,” said Seurer, who has attempted only 11 passes through three games this season.

Of course, he has to say that.

As the beloved leader for an Olathe South school that won its first Kansas 6A football state championship last season, Seurer would never undercut his coach or team by complaining about his role.

Still, the smile that comes to Seurer’s face – only briefly – when asked if he gets jealous seeing other quarterbacks around the league chuck it 25 or 30 times every game, tells a different story.

“It would be fun, but really it comes down to winning,” he said. “This offense seems to work, so I am fine with it, and it’s a fun offense to run when we do throw. It’s an awesome offense. I love it.”

The fact that Seurer has guided the Falcons to a 22-4 record as a starting quarterback since assuming that role in the second game of his sophomore season, undoubtedly softens the blow.

Besides, those who follow the Sunflower League closely know that Seurer belongs in the same conversation as Lawrence’s Brad Strauss and Lawrence Free State’s Kyle McFarland.

“That’s real fair to say,” South football coach Jeff Gourley said. “I’d say he’s probably the best overall quarterback in the league. McFarland from Free State is fantastic, but really they are very similar. You’ve also got Strauss, but shake them up in a bag, and you’re going to get a good quarterback, no matter who falls out.

“Frankie doesn’t get the publicity, because we don’t throw the ball all that much. It’s not a well-kept secret, but we don’t emphasize the pass that much, but he’s just as tough as a linebacker’ll ever be, and that’s how we use him – as a running quarterback.”

Fort Scott Community College has offered Seurer, who is 5 feet 11 and a rock-solid 190 pounds, a scholarship. Also, he has visited reigning NCAA Division II champion Pittsburg State and plans to spend a weekend at Northwest Missouri State, another Division II power.

There’s no telling who would be calling if Seurer played for, say, pass-happy Olathe Northwest.

“He could have gone to a different high school where they threw the ball more, but it was more about being with his buddies,” said his father, Frankie Seurer Sr., who played quarterback at Kansas, in the USFL and with the Chiefs. “Of course, he’d like to throw the ball more and do more with his abilities.

“As a father, I’d love to see him get the opportunity to show what he can do. There’s nothing I would enjoy more than seeing him get that chance to show off a little. But coach Gourley’s a stubborn guy, and it seems to be working. Still, I’d like to see coach be a little more balanced.”

Considering that younger Seurer’s bottom line is winning football games with the rest of his lifelong friends, it would seem that he made the right decision to stick with the Falcons.

“When you look at the wins, last year South versus Lawrence, we won,” he said. “We beat Free State. Last year, we beat Shawnee Mission East twice. That’s all that really matters – did we win or lose?”

Besides, other than the statistics, it’s everything else about the high school football experience he’d miss without wearing that Olathe South jersey.

“I’m not even worried really about recruiting right now,” Seurer said. “I’m just trying to focus on my senior high school season instead of looking forward, because you only have so much time to play high school football, and I know I’m going to miss it. I’m trying to cherish every moment.”

That’s why tonight – a day before the Falcons’ showdown with the only other Sunflower League team yet to taste defeat this season, SM East – Seurer and senior linebacker Remington Whitley will pop in “Friday Night Lights” and watch it for what has to seem like the 100th time together.

Sawyer Hawkins joined in the day-before tradition as well.

“We watch it the night before every game, and that’s the stuff you’re going to remember when you’re older – getting together at my house to play Ping Pong until 5 in the morning after a big win, and things like that,” Seurer said.

To reach Tod Palmer, call 816-234-4389 or send email to tpalmer@kcstar.com. Follow him at twitter.com/todpalmer.