As usual, the opening weekend of the high school football season in Missouri was interesting. Perhaps more so than ever.
The top surprise was Ruskin’s 45-6 trouncing of Truman. The consolidation of the Hickman Mills and Ruskin schools certainly paid off for the Eagles.
I thought it would be a difficult opener for Truman. But not to the extent of 45-6. It was a tough and obviously disappointing way for new coach Jeff Floyd to hopefully begin a new football era at the school.
The performance of Lee’s Summit quarterback Corbin Berkstresser against William Chrisman may have been the top performance in the state.
He took to the new Lee’s Summit spread offense like squirrels to nuts by passing for 321 yards and five touchdowns and running for 109 more yards and one TD.
“He’s a load,” first-year Chrisman coach John Crutcher said of the 6-foot-2, 225-pound University of Missouri recruit. “And he has the receivers.”
It was impossible for one player to bring down Berkstresser, who, despite his size, is surprisingly agile on his feet.
He may not be able to duplicate his performance as the schedule becomes tougher. But with him at the controls, the Tigers will be tough to beat.
And speaking of Chrisman, did you read what former Bears running back Caleb Sims did for Park Hill South? The explosive senior had scoring runs of 18, 69 and 56 yards as the Panthers opened with a 21-7 Suburban Middle Seven victory over Belton. It was a successful debut for Mark Simcox, who was the Bears’ head coach last season.
Sims, after transferring from Rockhurst, set the one-game Chrisman rushing record with 337 yards on 43 carries against Ruskin last year, and he finished the season with 1,415 yards and 11 touchdowns. Then he transferred to Park Hill South, his third school in as many years.
Other opening-season highlights:
Rockhurst edged Blue Springs 7-6 in the lowest-scoring game in the 41 games between the rivals.
The first victory as a member of the Independence School District continues to elude Van Horn. The Falcons fell to Renaissance Academy 34-14 for its 21st consecutive loss. Renaissance is playing a full varsity schedule after playing only two varsity and several junior varsity games last season.
Blue Springs South impressively routed Raytown South 49-7. It’s early but after two banner seasons, the Cardinals may not be as talented.
Despite the split with the new Liberty North, Liberty defeated Suburban Middle Six favorite Park Hill 35-14. Liberty lost only one varsity player to North.
