Yes, it was a real-life football game with real-life football players, but the first three possessions between Belton and Ray-Pec resembled something similar to a Madden video game. While Belton came out strong to start, Ray-Pec would eventually take control, winning 37-22 on Friday night at Panther Stadium.

Big plays were on display early in this battle of rivals, as Belton strove to establish its passing game behind the big arm of senior quarterback Bart Harris. Harris showed some early signs as to why he’s committed to play at Nebraska, connecting early with senior receiver Jaden Clark on a 46-yard touchdown pass on the first drive of the game.

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Not to be outdone, Ray-Pec proved itself to be a force in the running game. With 156 yards rushing and four touchdowns, junior Panther running back Chris McKinzy Jr. would gain 68 yards and one touchdown in his first carry of the game.

McKinzy got things going after halftime, ripping off touchdown runs of 23, 4 and 4 yards to push Ray-Pec from down 14-10 at intermission, to a 30-14 lead. A Grant Miller 9-yard touchdown carry in the fourth put the game away, 37-14.

For the game, McKinzy Jr finished with a whopping 156 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Ray-Pec head coach Tom Kruse had respect for the way Belton came out of the gates firing, but as the game wore on, his team showed it had strength to last.

“I think our depth kind of wore on them a little bit,” Kruse said.

Belton would only scratch out one touchdown in the second half and had no answer for the Panthers’ running game.  While McKinzy led the way averaging 6.5 yards per carry, the rest of the Panthers rushers carried their share as Ray-Pec gained a total of 316 yards on the ground. RP's Brandon Rayos added 67 yards in addition to McKinzy's totals.

Harris finished 17-of-30 with 196 passing yards  and two touchdowns for Belton. Running back Dante Madden added 131 rushing and a score.

Ray-Pec will face its first road test as it takes on Liberty North (0-1). Belton will be on the road again, facing the Liberty Blue Jays (1-0).

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Kruse, in his 18th year at Ray-Pec, knows a thing or two about coaching -  but it never hurts to have a NFL-caliber player serving as a volunteer for your team either. Adorned in the standard issue coaching gear, former Ray-Pec and Missouri star, Chase Coffman, is giving back to his alma mater. When asked if he’d like to get into coaching, Coffman simply said, “Potentially.” What’s clear is that whether in pads or a polo, it’s always about the team for Coffman.

“First and foremost I just want to help out these guys as much as I can,” Coffman said. “It’s fun to be around them. It’s a good group of coaches, good group of players. While I’m here, if I can give them any tips or be a springboard for anything they want to ask, then I’ve got some time.”

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