In a hard-fought season opener, the North Kansas City Hornets out lasted the Grandview Bulldogs, 30 -23.
The Hornets were led by senior Clyde Price, who scored four touchdowns, two on the ground and two through the air.
The Bulldogs had plenty of fire power on the sideline as well, Rodrick Smith scored twice on the ground, a 2-yard dive, and a spectacular 75 yard run, following his pulling guard and simply out ran everyone. Defensively the Bulldogs also scored on a 73-yard pick 6, when Chris Martin stepped in front of a pass in the flat at took it to the end zone.
The Hornets took the lead just before halftime, when on 4th and goal from the 10 yard line, junior quarterback Seth Mattly connected with Price for the score. Ronaldo Calderon converted the PAT, and the Hornets went to halftime with a 23 - 20 lead.
The Bulldogs tied the score at 11:49 of the 4th quarter when Jason Perez kicked a 35-yard field goal.
The Hornets took over with 9:35 left in the game and the ball on their own 29. Three times they went on 4th down and converted all of them. Head Coach Leon Douglas, after the game talked of his faith in the offense, “We will go for it on 4th down, because they were all on schedule. We think we can get three or four yards on 4th down.”
The winning score was 37-yard screen pass from Mattly to Price. Price described the play, “The line did a great job on the play, they were blocking all the way down the field and I just kept my jets going until I scored.”
Grandview will look for the first win as they travel to Grain Valley next Friday. The Hornets are also on the road visiting William Chrisman, looking for a 2-0 start.
