Lee’s Summit continued its second-half surge into the Class 6 semifinals with a 24-14 win over Liberty on Friday night in Lee’s Summit. 

Not only did the win avenge a loss to the Blue Jays in the season opener, but it was the Tigers eighth win in a row. 

Lees Summit's last loss came on Sept. 19. After starting with four straight losses, the Tigers won eight straight.

"It's uncharted territory and these kids deserve it," Tigers head coach Todd Miller said. "It's a collaboration, but these kids are special. We don't look pretty coming off the bus, but we play hard and we're scrappy."

Two first-half rushing touchdowns by Peyton Hatfield of 12 and Preston Hatfield of 46 yards accounted for Lee’s Summit’s scores, while Liberty countered with touchdown runs by Colt Nolin of 8 and 10 pulled the Blue Jays to a 14-14 halftime tie. Preston Hatfield finished with 139 rushing yards, while Nolin tallied 132 for Liberty.

The Lee’s Summit defense clamped down after halftime, while a 29-yard Sullivan McCarthy gave the Tigers a 17-14.

 Then in the fourth quarter, Karsten Fiene capped a drive with a one-yard touchdown run to seal the game at 24-14 with 7:51 left in the game. 

Liberty (10-2) would have two more possessions, but those resulted in an interception and a missed field goal, allowing the Tigers to advance in Class 6. 

Lee’s Summit (8-4) will face either CBC or Jackson in the semifinals next week.