Preseason Preview: Lee’s Summit North

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee's Summit North has been on a roll the past few years and produced a lot of talent. However, they have just missed winning a Class 6 state championship game. This year looks like that could change as they are loaded at every position, including having the top player in the state, who some consider one of the very best in the country. I take a look at the Broncos' talent in this preseason preview.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D1 QB prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185373' first='Elijah' last='Leonard']</strong> returns for his senior season to lead the Broncos after splitting time as the signal-caller last season. Elijah, who is verbally committed to Missouri State, will man the position all by himself in 2023 after having a stellar junior season. The 6'4" 220 Leonard threw for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for another 475 yards and 3 more scores. He's a big, physical athlete who can get the job done with his arm or his legs. He's just scratching the surface of his abilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading rushers<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='230439' first='Tanner' last='Howes']</strong> also returns for his senior year after rushing for 1,225 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. The quick, shifty back with deceptive speed who runs hard between the tackles is a homerun threat when he touches the ball. He is also a threat as a receiver and had 225 yards catching the ball. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118443' first='Quade' last='Chatmon']</strong> is a bigger back (6'0" 195) with speed who was impressive in the offseason at camps I attended. He looks ready for a breakout season. Sophomores<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='849714' first='Montrel' last='Henderson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849716' first='Charles' last='Brown']</strong> bring a lot of speed to the backfield, with Henderson being one of the fastest running backs in the state. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='563352' first='Bryce' last='Thompson']</strong> is another name to remember who you may see get a little at some time at some point during the season. One of the top incoming 2027 class players, Thompson is fast and talented. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elite caliber prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177938' first='Isaiah' last='Mozee']</strong> returns for his junior year and looks like he will play and even bigger role in the offense in 2023. The speedy receiver is a highly coveted D1 prospect who can hurt you through the air, on the ground and on special teams. Junior <strong>Crey Burns</strong> and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1125417' first='William' last='Ray'] where impressive when I saw them in the offseason at camps, and transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275125' first='Mike' last='Lane']</strong> comes to the Broncos from Park Hill South, where he was a main target for the Panthers in their receiving game. Lane is a college prospect in his own right at 6'1" 180 and will also play cornerback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'4" 225 junior TE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='345123' first='Aaron' last='McGhee'] </strong>looks ready to increase his role. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line will be led by junior returnees OG <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='392790' first='Tyler' last='Pate']</strong> and OT <strong>Tre Williams </strong>from last year's squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos defensive line will be one of the best in the state and Midwest with the return of senior all-everything and national recruit DE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185397' first='Williams' last='Nwaneri']</strong> (6'5" 260), junior DT <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285166' first='Ka'Mori' last='Moore']</strong> (6'2" 290) and senior DT <strong>Kameron Durden </strong>(6'0" 280). Nwaneri recorded 56 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior. He will be announcing his verbal commitment next week from between Oklahoma, Missouri, Georgia, Oregon and Tennessee. He is a one-man wrecking crew for offenses to have to worry about. Moore is also a heavily recruited D1 prospect who has already verbally committed to Oklahoma.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The linebacker corps also is led by yet another heavily recruited D1 prospect in 2025 LB talent <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='328601' first='Chase' last='Pearsall']</strong> ( 6'1" 220). Pearsall already has offers from Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois and Kansas State among others. Chase led the team with 11 sacks and recorded 57 tackles last year. Senior <strong>Avery Block</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188419' first='Brandon' last='Hill']</strong> return from last year and help form a talented group. Freshman <strong>Caleb</strong> <strong>Green</strong>, younger brother of former Bronco and current Oklahoma Sooner <strong>Cayden Green</strong>, plays outside linebacker and will be one of the top freshman in a talented freshman class for North. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Broncos will have another good group of defensive backs despite losing a lot of talent to graduation. S <strong>Robin Lucas III</strong> returns after recording 39 tackles last year. it looks like senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275125' first='Mike' last='Lane']</strong> will hold down one of the cornerback spots. Seniors <strong>Deeric Hardy</strong> and <strong>Graylen Glasgow</strong> and juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944183' first='Isaac' last='McIntosh']</strong> and <strong>Tyler Harris</strong> will be among the players competing for playing time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->