Week 3 Games to Watch in Kansas City
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Week three of the high school football season is the first in the Kansas City metro area that has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic this season. There has been a handful of games that have been called off, though…
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Continue ReadingWeek three of the high school football season is the first in the Kansas City metro area that has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic this season. There has been a handful of games that have been called off, though some of the teams were able to easily reschedule games due to the changes. Raytown is the No. 3-ranked team in Class 5 but are idle this week due to issues within the program. The Blue Jays were set to play William Chrisman, which ended up traveling to Washington (Mo.) to play a game on Thursday night.
Kansas City Southeast, Kansas City East and Raytown South are other teams with COVID-19 issues and that means no games for those school this week. Winnetonka picked up a game against Van Horn, while Richmond added a game with Bishop Ward (Kan.) a day before playing.
As for the Friday games that are happening — unless noted — here are some key ones to track:
Class 6 No. 5 Liberty North at Class 6 No. 1 Ray-Pec
This is one of two battles of state-ranked teams clashing in the area. Liberty North is No. 5 and sports a 1-1 record and is coming off a thrashing of rival Liberty last week. The Eagles ran for 289 yards last week, led by running backs Cayden Arzola (167 yards, 2 TDs) and Micah Jo Barnett Micah Jo Barnett 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Liberty North | 2024 State MO (113/1). Ray-Pec junior Jaidyn Doss Jaidyn Doss 6'0" | 200 lbs | WR Raymore-Pecuilar | 2023 State MO is a standout receiver — with plenty of D-I offers — but played a bigger role running the ball last week, picking up 115 yards on nine carries against Blue Springs. He had one catch for 17 yards.
Class 5 No. 7 Fort Osage at Class 5 No. 8 North Kansas City
Fort Osage is off a 2-0 start, a big step forward after going 3-7 last year. Sophomore Xavier Shepherd had field goals of 42, 37 and 29 last week against traditional power Staley. North Kansas City got the first win of the season last week with a 38-0 thumping of St. Joseph Central. Five different players scored touchdowns for the Hornets but the best stats put up were by junior running back J’Len Friar, who had 9 carries for 92 yards.
Class 3 No. 9 Summit Christian Academy at Hogan Prep, (Saturday)
A battle of undefeated team will pit a high-scoring offense of SCA against a Hogan Prep defense that has allowed 21 points in two games. Summit Christian has scored 54 and 49 the first two weeks and are coming off a 49-0 win against Fort Scott (Kan.). Junior quarterback Joseph Lepak Joseph Lepak 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Summit Christian | 2023 MO completed 8 of 11 passes for 133 yards and added 143 yards and two scores on the ground for Summit.
Liberty at Class 6 No. 8 Lee’s Summit North
Liberty fell out of the top 10 after a loss to Liberty North last week. Wide receiver Caden Dennis Caden Dennis 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR Liberty (KC) | 2022 State MO had nine catches for 74 yards, but the Blue Jays had only 156 yards of total offense. In a Week 1 win against Blue Springs, Liberty had 479. Lee’s Summit North quarterback Tre Baker Tre Baker 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Lee's Summit North | 2022 State MO picked up an offer from Southern Illinois this week. He accounted for more than 250 yards of total offense last week, throwing for 182 and two scores, while leading the team with 71 yards on the ground.
Class 4 No. 10 Grandview at Platte County
Grandview struggled possessing the ball last week in a loss against Park Hill South as the offense gave up three touchdowns in a 40-0 loss. However, senior running back Keenan Jones was a workhorse with 33 carries for 109 yards. Platte County got in the win column and the success of senior quarterback Jared Parsons was a reason. After completing 39 percent of his passes in Week 1, he went 15 for 20 and threw a MSHSAA state record 99-yard touchdown pass.
You can follow Cody Thorn on Twitter at @FreelancingCT