Photo Credit: Jeff Stead/PrepsKC 
Liberty North wide receiver Keelan Smith is showing why he’s one the best recruits in the country.
The 6-foot-3, 210 pound receiver has been one of the main focal points of the Eagles offense all season, and Friday was no different.
The Nebraska commit scored three touchdowns in Liberty North’s (8-1) impressive 43-12 win over Lee’s Summit West on Friday.
“He’s dynamic, right? The things people don’t see right now is all the work he did in the offseason with Tillman (Martin) and the rest of the receivers working in the summer,” Liberty North coach Andy Lierman said of Smith. “It gets them in sync with each other and continues to grow and mature. … we’re excited to have him.”
Liberty North opened the game with an impressive drive. However, the drive stalled out at the Lee’s Summit West 1-yard line as the Titans were able to stuff Micah Jo Barnett short of the end zone on 4th-and-goal.
Even though the Eagles drive ended short of the end zone, the defense was able to get the first score of the game as Melvin Laster and several others tackled Quincy Torry in the end zone to give North a 2-0 lead.
Liberty North added to its lead to 9-0 with 55 seconds left in the first quarter as Smith hauled in a 2-yard pass from Tillman Martin.
“We didn’t start off the strongest,” Smith said. “I think we won pretty handsomely, but I feel like we could be a lot better. … there’s always room for improvement. I’m excited for this bye-week so we can get back to work and get better.”
Lee’s Summit West wasted no time responding as Caden Carter hit Tayveon Simms in stride for a 75-yard touchdown as time expired in the first quarter to cut the deficit to 9-6.
North added to its lead midway through the second quarter as Smith caught a 7-yard touchdown from Martin to give the Eagles a 16-6 lead.
The Titans threatened to pull closer on its ensuing possession, however, North’s Jay Ross strip sacked Carter. Ross recovered the ball, which set up a Bleu Renfrow 26-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 19-6 lead at the half.
“Our defense came out and responded,” Lierman said. “We challenged them the last couple of weeks and play the way they’re capable of. They’ve just responded.”
With the win, Liberty North locked up the No. 1 seed in the Class 6, District 7 playoffs to earn a bye in the first round. They'll play the winner of Blue Springs/Truman on Nov. 3.
Not only did the Eagles lock up the No. 1 seed, they also won their third straight Suburban Gold Conference championship. However, Lierman said it means a lot for the current group of seniors.
“To see them succeed, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “As a coach you just want your kids to have an opportunity to win games. … this group of seniors has done a great job with that.”
