Football is back and this Friday certainly wasn't a letdown. No masks concerns. Not scorching hot. Just good ol' football.

810 Varsity takes a look around at some of the games on Friday night.

No. 1 Liberty North 17, No. 2 Lee's Summit North 7

The game lived up to the hype with talent, but wasn't the offensive fireworks display some had thought. And for good reason - there also was a lot of high level talent on the defensive side, namely with the Eagles returning 9 of 11 starters from the Missouri Class 6 runner-up team. Melvin Laster already looks like he's in his junior year - in college. Trey Snyder came up big with 11 tackles. And until the final minutes, Liberty North shut out the Broncos.

Over time, Lee's Summit North will get its offense going. Early issues on snaps caused havoc. Toggling between transfer quarterbacks Maxxwell Ford and Elijah Leonard - each who threw a pick - will get ironed out. So the Broncos will be fine in three months during the playoffs.

Meanwhile for Liberty North, Micah Jo Barnett was strong with 23 carries and 117 yards and a tough 15-yard touchdown run. Keelan Smith exploded for a 62-yard touchdown reception. And also important, head coach Andy Lierman notched a win in his first game since taking over the helm from area coaching legend Greg Jones.

With the state brackets, these two could rematch again - but will have to wait until the Class 6 state title game. And… that may happen. We shall see ahead!

No. 5 Raymore-Peculiar 33, No. 10 Rockhurst 26

While the area hype of the top game and top talented teams was at Liberty North, a familiar name shouldn't be overlooked in Ray-Pec. The Panthers trailed late, 26-19, but surged with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and looked to have worn out the Rockhurst defense.

Quarterback Zander Dombrowski looked stellar with 17-of-22 passing for 208 yards and four touchdowns. The senior playcaller distributed the ball nicely too, with arguably the top wide receiver duo in the city in Jaden Reddell hauling in four catches for 57 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score, and Nebraska commit Jaidyn Doss with five receptions for 53 yards and a score.

Rockhurst will be dangerous as usual, as going to a frenzied Ray-Pec for the opener on senior night - with a reported attendance over 6,000 - is a tall task for anyone. The Hawklets will face Blue Springs South in its home opener next Friday, while Ray-Pec visits Park Hill

No. 15 Liberty 30, Lee's Summit West 0

No surprise in that the Blue Jays won at Lee's Summit West. Liberty is always solid year-in, year-out under head coach Chad Frigon, and the defense was impressive.

Running back Anthony Wesson was solid with 83 yards and a score. Quarterback Christian Kuchta was steady with 15-of-24 passing for 140 and a touchdown - to standout receiver Ricky Ahumaraeze. The senior finished with 46 yards, as the wealth was spread among four target.

Dane Moberly led the way with two interceptions, as Lee's Summit West could encounter rugged waters in 2022.

The Blue Jays also were led by the trio of Brindel brothers, in junior tackle, Ace and sophomore twin brothers in left tackle, Trevor and right tackle, Trenton. Born just 10 months apart, there could be another Brindel ahead with an eighth grade brother too.

Park Hill South 34, Rock Bridge 17

How would the Panthers react a year after its best season with a 10-0 start, and losing players to graduation, and its coach Alan Wilmes to Blue Springs South?

With a strong win under coach Benny Palmer over Rock Bridge.

Leading the way was speedy senior running back Darrien Jones, who found the end zone three times. Briggs Bartosh, also one of the more formidable threats in the area, also scored as the Panthers will face a tougher test, taking on Lee's Summit North at the Broncos place, coming off a loss.

Blue Springs South 52, Lee's Summit 27

Speaking of Wilmes, the Jaguars got the season off on the right foot in style. After a winless 0-9 campaign, the Jaguars came out early with a 24-0 halftime lead. Lee's Summit woke up after halftime, with Elijah Martinez hitting Mizzou commit Joshua Manning 11 times for 160 yards and two scores.

But the Tigers were their own enemy after pulling to 31-27, with a fumble being returned by Jermon Strickland for a Blue Springs South TD, then a pick-6 by Peyton Osborn to suddenly balloon the deficit to 45-27.

Cash Parker could be one of the top quarterbacks in the area, and started his senior season off with 211 yards and three touchdowns.

No. 9 Fort Osage 33, Grain Valley 14

The Indians looked a bit sluggish early, with a scoreless first quarter for both sides. But Ryver Peppers finished with a 100/100 day, ripping off 128 rushing yards on 22 carries, and 100 yards on four receptions - scoring a touchdown by land and air.

Quarterback Greg Menne was efficient with 13-of-18 passing for 117 yards.

The Fort defense rose up with three interceptions, while Anthony Thompson notched 11 tackles.

Darrien Jones breaks tackles then jets for his third touchdown of the night. (Video: @PHSpantherPR)

Raytown South 46, Truman 27

No bigger win on Friday night than the Cardinals, who snapped a 21-game losing streak that dated back to Oct 4, 2019.

Part II (later today):

• Kearney over Platte County
• Park Hill and NKC take Columbia
• Smithville opens title defense
• And more!