Photo Credit: Ryan EdwardsHigh school football is back, well at least on the Missouri side it is.
This year, I don’t know what to expect. There have been so many changes this offseason. Some that I wasn’t expecting, and some that needed to happen a long time ago.
One of those shocking surprises was the return of Ryan Schartz – the former Fort Osage coach – who is now at Oak Grove, after replacing Pat Richard. Schartz will look to guide the Panthers back to the Class 3 state championship.
Schartz and his coaching staff will probably have one of the best one-two punches in the metro – if not the state of Missoui – this season, with the return of Logan Pittman and Noah Spencer. Pittman and Spencer – both seniors – combined for 262 carries, 2,855 yards and 45 touchdowns last season. The offense will be different this year, but this team has the capability of running the ball down the throats of its opponents every week.
Looking through some of the Week 1 games this year, one really caught my eye. If you guessed St. Pius X traveling to Rockhurst, you’d be correct.
The Warriors and Hawlets – might go down as the most anticipated matchup to start a season – especially from a St. Pius X perspective.
The Warriors are talented, there is no mistaking that. However, are they talented enough to take down one of the Metro’s most storied programs?
I think so.
It all comes down to how well Pius protects junior quarterback – and 2023 Frank Fontana winner – Hudson Bailey. Bailey led the Warriors to an 11-3 record and berth in the Class 3 semifinals, where the Warriors lost 41-17 at the hands of Seneca. Bailey finished the season with 2,651 yards and 38 touchdowns, while completing 66.80 percent of his passes.
Rockhurst, on the other hand, is looking to build on its stellar 2023 season.
The Hawklets, who went 11-2, lost a lot of key contributors, including running back Aidan Ryan and quarterback Ethan Hansen. If I know one thing about Kelly Donohoe, he’ll have his team ready to go.
Another team that intrigues me is the defending Class 6 champion.
Liberty North will open the season riding 13-game winning streak when they host Blue Springs South Week 1. The Eagles are, in my opinion, still a dangerous team. However, last year's team was special.
The Eagles lost a lot of talent including – Micah Jo Barnett, Keelan Smith, Jay Ross and Melvin Laster – just to name a few. Smith, Ross and Laster each committed to Division 1 colleges. However, the return of senior quarterback Tillman Martin is a plus. Tillman played a big role last year, and I expect he’ll continue to improve as a senior.
Here are some matchups that have peaked my interests this season:
Week 1: St. Pius X vs. Rockhurst
Week 2: Platte County vs. Grain Valley
Week 3: Oak Grove vs. Pleasant Hill
Week 4: Bentonville, Ark. vs. Lee’s Summit North
Week 5: Fort Osage vs. Oak Park
Week 6: Kearney vs. Grain Valley
Week 7: Lee’s Summit North vs. Liberty North
Week 8: Liberty North vs. Rockhurst
Week 9: Blue Springs South vs. Lee’s Summit West
