Third and long: Ryan Edwards 8/23

Friday’s jamboree at Raytown was just what I needed to get ready for the regular season.

Why? Even though COVID is still around, the jamboree made the start of the new season feel normal, or just as normal as possible.

The four teams at Raytown flashed talent — a lot of it actually. Each team has several D1 level players. Those four teams — Lee’s Summit, Liberty North, Raytown and Park Hill South — will prove to be tough outs for anyone they play this season, and I, for one, can’t wait to see how they attack the season.

Let’s start with Raytown. The Bluejays are very physical and athletic, especially at the skill positions. They have the ability to run at will with a three-headed monster.

Of course, the success of the run game depends on the offensive line. The Bluejays run a lot of counters and traps, and sprinkle in a complex screen game, the Bluejays will be dangerous in Class 5.

Not only will the Bluejays be dangerous, so too, will Park Hill South. The Panthers are led by quarterback Drew Paulakovich. Paulakovich is hoping to lead a dynamic offense this season and if he’s successful, the Panthers will be difficult to stop on offense.

Yes, all four teams put on a show on Friday, but one team stood out from the rest.

Liberty North looked like a team capable of making yet another deep run this fall. Yes, the Eagles are young, but they are athletic, very athletic. Liberty North does have junior quarterback Sam Van Dyne returning, but they’ll be breaking in a whole host of new players at the varsity level.

If I’ve learned one thing about Liberty North coach Greg Jones over the years is that he’ll always have his teams prepared and ready to play week in and week out.

Here are some other things I’m looking forward to this season:

• How will Ray-Pec handle the pressure of being the hunted? The Panthers will be tested right of the gates by Rockhurst to open the season. Then again by Liberty North on Sept. 10. Another team that will test the Panthers will be on Sept. 24 when they host Lee’s Summit West.
• Will Maryville reclaim the throne at the top of the MEC? St. Pius X took the conference from Maryville’s grasp and made it all the way to the Class 2 state championship game. The Warriors lost a lot from last year’s state runner-up team, but they will look to hold off the Spoofhounds, who seem to rebuild every year.
• Can Odessa pick up where it left off? Don’t get me started about COVID. It ruined a lot of things last year, including several seasons across the metro. The Bulldogs were destined to repeat as the Class 3 champs. Instead of repeating, the Bulldogs had to forfeit its playoff game and have spent the offseason wondering what if. Well, I’ll be the first to tell you, the Bulldogs will be back and as dominant as ever.