Before we start...full disclosure time: My cousin plays for Chaminade. Yes, that Chaminade that just beat Grandview for the state title.

 I've covered high school sports for about seven years now but on those rare occassions that I get to work a college or pro event, I know that sometimes before the game an announcement will be made: "...No cheering from the press box."

Sports reporter's Rule No. 1: Be a professional, not a fanboy (girl). And this is actually pretty easy to do. Because, in truth, all sports reporters care about is writing a great story and beating deadline. And especially in my case, I'm not from Kansas City so I don't have emotional ties to the Chiefs, Royals or Wizards. But in my seven years, I've never had to hold fast to that rule no more than I did at the Missouri Class 5 boys' state championship game.

Hey there, kids! Hope you're enjoying your weekend. I am. I'm writing this from my mom's house. I went back home to see my cousin 'P' and his Chaminade teammates take on Clayton. My cousin's team won so it was worth me breaking speed limits for 3 1/2 hours and baking in this ungodly sun. Seriously, when is Autumn weather coming?

Now on to teams that ya'll care about. First, a thousand apologies going out to the Raymore-Peculiar PANTHERS. In my Saturday morning column, I referred to Tom Kruse's boys as the 'Tigers.' Maybe I had Tigers on the brain because Ray-Pec's finest were back in town, Chase Coffman and Derrick Washington, enjoying their bye week and decked out in Mizzou Tiger gear. Or maybe I'm waging a one-woman campaign against the unethical treatment of the Panthera and am secretly trying to change the Ray-Pec mascot. Whatever the case, I'm sorry, Ray-Pec fans. I definitely know better. So from here on out, I will refer to your team as THE PANTHERS, only in bold type. There.

So THE PANTHERS came up short in knocking off The Star's No. 1 ranked Wildcats, losing 28-21. I like that Cameron Coffman-Gavin Lutman connection but you could tell they weren't clicking all night. The youngest Coffman has the tools - pocket presence and a good strong arm - but many times he and his receievers just weren't on the same page.