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Photo Credit: Steve Bubalo

Coaches aren’t typically the most interesting interviews. After all, there’s a reason someone came up with the term “coach speak”.

So, when a coach uses words like “groundbreaking” and “monumental” to describe a win, especially one in Week 3, that is far from the norm. And quite honestly, I found it to be a refreshing change.

At the same time, that kind of talk from Lee’s Summit North head coach Jamar Mozee was completely warranted after his Broncos made history last Friday night, defeating Blue Springs 28-27 in overtime. Not only is it his alma mater, It was the first time the Broncos had defeated the Wildcats in football. Ever.

Lee’s Summit North opened in 1995 and for 18 straight years the football team lost to Blue Springs. On two occasions they also lost in the playoffs to the Wildcats. That comes to an 0-20 record. So, yes, I don’t blame Mozee for calling the win “groundbreaking” and “monumental”.

What impressed me the most was the way the Broncos won. They took a 14-0 lead in the second half and seemed to have all the momentum.

Then, all of a sudden, Blue Springs started doing Blue Springs things. They were running the ball at will, as the offensive line began to take over. The defense locked down the Broncos running game, recovering a fumble and a high snap on a punt. In 12 minutes of game time, it became a 21-14 Blue Springs lead with less than a quarter to play.

I have to admit, I thought it was game over after that. I didn’t see a Bronco comeback happening. It felt like that old adage of one time knowing how to win, and another in the process of trying to figure it out.

But this isn’t your grandma’s Lee’s Summit North football team. They would go on to tie the game with a long screen pass and would eventually win in overtime.

Plain and simple, the Broncos have talent all over the field. They have speed all over the field.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the team speed the Broncos have. It’s real, no doubt. But that’s not all there is to this team.

“We have guys that can play,” Mozee said. “I hear people say this a lot, and it irritates me, that we’re just fast. No, we can play. We’re more than that. We can play.”

I loved this comment from Mozee. The entire interview with him after the game was a treat. He was emotional after such a big win. He also sounded confident in his team, while also fully aware they still have room to grow. He embraced the pressure of playing a state power, on their field, and not shying away from the fact that the program had never defeated them by bringing it up with his team in practice.

“I’m not the kind of person to shy away from a challenge,” Mozee said.

And with him leading the way, this Broncos team won’t be, either.