Photo Credit: David Smith/Special to PrepsKC 
Raymore-Peculiar coach Sean Martin was hopeful to start the night as his team faced Lee’s Summit North, the top-ranked team in Missouri. Martin saw it as an opportunity.
“A lot of times you go through life looking for a chance to do this or that, and then you got a chance to play the number one team in the city or in the state,” Martin said. “We've got that opportunity, and we're excited.”
Ray-Pec appeared ready to make the most of that opportunity as senior receiver Jaden Reddell went up and snatched a reception from quarterback Gavin Oliver for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter.
Ultimately, North’s talent would overpower Ray-Pec with the Broncos winning, 35-14.
North quarterback Elijah Leonard lowered his shoulder and ran in for Lee’s Summit North’s first touchdown of the game. Leonard’s biggest mistake of the game was an interception made by Ray-Pec deep in its own territory. Ray-Pec got nothing going on the drive and had to punt. A facemask penalty on the return gave LSN the ball at the 14 of Ray-Pec. Tanner Howes hit the edge and ran for a 14-yard touchdown.
Isaiah Mozee closed the second quarter with a touchdown, making it 21-7 at the half.
Lee’s Summit North Coach Jamar Mozee knew Reddell would be a problem before the game. He was also worried about penalties. He was correct on both accounts. Multiple drives on offense stalled due to costly penalties.
Before the game, Jamar Mozee said the primary focus for his team in the second half of the season is cleaning up penalties.
Mozee felt the Broncos took a step forward against Blue Valley Northwest last week regarding penalties. This week was another step back as flags marred the performance of the North offense.
“We didn’t play well offensively, in my opinion, a lot of penalties,” Mozee said. “We felt like we missed two touchdowns in the first half.”
Elijah Leonard threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Isaiah Mozee made 11 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Williams Nwaneri recorded two sacks.
Penalties are something to improve for Lee’s Summit North, a team that would likely be disappointed with anything less than a state championship this season. But for now, they are 6-0, with some corrections for the next time out.
Next week, North hosts Liberty with three games left in the season. Ray-Pec moves on at 3-3 with another undefeated Lee’s Summit school next week as they face Lee’s Summit West.
