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NKC Rises Up, 24-21

By Chad Rader, 810 Varsity, 08/29/20, 9:00AM CDT

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Hornets step up in all three areas for W at Raytown

After a one-dimensional half for North Kansas City, the Hornets came up big in all three facets for a big win at Raytown.

In the season opener for both teams, NKC (1-0) came back from a 21-14 halftime deficit for a 24-21 thrilling win at RHS.

The Hornets relied heavily on running back Jeremy Brown all night, and for good reason. The senior tailback went nuts with 227 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries.

But after scoring on a 9-yard Brown score midway through the first quarter, it was all Raytown for awhile. The Bluejays scored three unanswered touchdowns for a 21-7 lead late in the first half. The big strike came from quarterback Nate Whitebear to running back Zahmari Gray for a 75-yard quick score.

North Kansas City drew to 21-14, aft4er driving inside the red zone and on 4th and 3, scoring on a Daniel Joiner counter with just 5.4 seconds left until intermission. Joiner finished with 51 yards and a score on 12 totes.

From there, the Hornets pounded on the ground for an 8-minute drive inside the Raytown 4. But after a penalty and Brown missing third down with injury, the senior returned on fourth-and-goal from the 11, and swept out to the right. Brown eluded Raytown until reaching the end zone to tie the game at 21-21 with 2:59 left in the third period.

After both teams shut down each other, North Kansas City took a drive into the Raytown red zone. NKC stalled, but Kail Williams came up huge with a 29-yard field goal, and a Hornet 24-21 lead with 3:33 left.

Raytown marched downfield and got inside the 10. But Gray was stuffed at the 7 by NKC star defensive end Dominique Orange with the clock ticking under a minute. On fourth and goal at the 4, Whitebear rolled left, found a swarm of Hornets and eventually was brought with 9.1 left to end the game.

North Kansas City will host St. Joe Central next week, while Raytown (0-1) faces rival Raytown South.

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