Raymore-Peculiar football coach Tom Kruse outlined an early goal with his players before the season began — he wanted to be undefeated heading into a Week 3 game with Blue Springs South.
Someway, somehow, Kruse got his wish. Raymore-Peculiar scored 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat Liberty 38-34 last Friday night.
“What a crazy game,” Kruse said. “It was unbelievable. It’s hard to even explain.”
After Liberty took a 27-7 lead into halftime, Raymore-Peculiar’s Aaron Russell returned the opening second half kickoff for a touchdown to jumpstart the comeback.
Steve Brown finished it off with his fourth touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, setting off a frenzy on the Raymore-Peculiar sideline.
“That can be a huge momentum lift for us,” Kruse said. “It just shows you anything is possibly in high school football. It’s a crazy game sometimes.”
Games to watch
BLUE SPRINGS (2-0) AT ROCKHURST (1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: Bentonville (Ark.) 24, Rockhurst 7; Blue Springs 35, Park Hill South 14
2011 result: Rockhurst 35, Blue Springs 20
Inside Blue Springs: The Wildcats have been impressive in their first two games, winning by a combined score of 91-27. With an experienced quarterback in Wylson Lamb and an experienced tailback in Dalvin Warmack, the growing pains have been nonexistent for a Blue Springs team that is loaded with seniors.
Inside Rockhurst: The Hawklets are looking to get back on track after a loss to one of Arkansas’ top high school teams. A young offense has failed to get on track in the first two weeks of the season and will need to move the ball with more consistency Friday night.
Prediction: Blue Springs 21, Rockhurst 17
GRANDVIEW (2-0) AT WINNETONKA (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Grandview 42, William Chrisman 14; Winnetonka 42, Raytown South 26
2011 result: Did not meet.
Inside Grandview : It has taken the Bulldogs all of two weeks to match last year’s win total, but the test is certainly tougher Friday night with a trip to Winnetonka. Led by the running of backs Jerel Alexander and Jaavon Turner, Grandview has the chance to prove its early season success is no fluke.
Inside Winnetonka: The Griffins bounced back nicely from a disappointing season-opening loss to Liberty and now look to carry the momentum over into Suburban Conference Blue play. Winnetonka is searching for better consistency from its passing game to balance out its offensive game plan.
Prediction: Winnetonka 35, Grandview 21
PARK HILL (1-1) AT LEE’S SUMMIT (1-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last week: Lee’s Summit West 33, Park Hill 7; Kearney 34, Lee’s Summit 17
2011 result: Did not meet.
Inside Park Hill: The Trojans opened with an emotional win and then scored a minor success by finding the end zone in a loss to one of the state’s top defenses in Lee’s Summit West. With a variety of skill players, Park Hill likes to spread the ball around.
Inside Lee’s Summit: The Tigers face a tough task this week — figuring out a way to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss Friday night. They built a 17-0 lead against Kearney before losing. The play of quarterback Drew Lock offers optimism that Lee’s Summit can get back on track.
Prediction: Lee’s Summit 34, Park Hill 28
