Photo Credit: Ryan EdwardsWhen I was in high school the teams to beat in Kansas City were Rockhurst, Blue Springs and Blue Springs South.
Wherever you went, those three schools were the talk of the metro, especially on the Missouri side. Of course, things have changed dramatically over the last seven years. The Big Three is no longer dominating the high school football landscape, but there are signs that all three are about to emerge from the ashes and take back what is rightfully theirs: the top spot in Class 6.
The closest to returning to the top, in my mind, is Blue Springs South.
The Jaguars went 7-4 under first-year coach Alan Wilmes. Wilmes brought excitement back to the south side of Blue Springs with a high-flying offense led by senior quarterback Cash Parker. Parker, who was one of the top passers in the metro, had some sensational games, perhaps the most impressive was the shocking comeback against Ray-Pec on Sept. 16.
South trailed 27-10 at halftime, but rallied to outscore the Panthers 42-7 in the second half. It was an onslaught and once South got started, they couldn’t be stopped. It was a glimpse of the future, and the future looks bright.
Now, in terms of the current day heavy weights – the teams the Rockhurst, Blue Springs and Blue Springs South are all currently chasing – Liberty North and Lee’s Summit North are at the top, however, they haven’t claimed the top spot in Class 6, which is currently held by CBC.
Both Broncos and Eagles fell at the hands of Cadets in the playoffs. Liberty North fell in the semifinals, while Lee’s Summit North went toe-to-toe with CBC in the Class 6 championship game, ultimately losing in overtime.
Liberty North fell because they didn’t have the elite speed on either side of the ball – the type of speed you need to compete with teams like CBC and DeSmet – CBC was able to wear down that vaunted defense with a violent rushing attack. Lee’s Summit North was able to move the ball on CBC, but it wasn’t on the ground. No, the Broncos moved the ball through the air and they did it effectively. They ultimately fell short.
This was supposed to be the season either Lee’s Summit North or Liberty North would join Rockhurst, Blue Springs, Blue Springs South and Ray-Pec as the only Class 6 teams on the Kansas City side to win a state championship.
I don’t know what the future holds for either program. I know both schools have a lot of talent, but how will both teams react to being challenged by the Big Three, when they are all clicking.
