Editor’s Note: The Courier-Tribune’s Boys and Girls Athletes of the Year for Liberty, Liberty North, Kearney and Smithville were selected by sports writer Mac Moore based on his opinions from covering the teams and using insights provided by area coaches when available.
LIBERTY — Liberty outgoing senior linebacker Jalen Weston will receive the Warren Award as the Missouri winner during this year’s Greater Kansas City Football Conference Association all-star game 7 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at North Kansas City High School.
After the Kansas City Chiefs clinched the title of back-to-back AFC champions Sunday, Jan. 24, Chiefs merchandise began flying off shelves at stores across the Northland.
CLAY COUNTY — The Missouri Department of Transportation is doing its part to support the Kansas City Chiefs' effort to "Run It Back."
Kearney graduate and former University of Missouri linebacker Cale Garrett signed with the New York Giants on a reserve/future contract.
SMITHVILLE — Smithville football did not trail for the first 47 minutes and 28 seconds of its Missouri Class 4 state semifinals game.
SMITHVILLE — The Smithville football team looked perfect on the scoreboard of its latest dominant win as the Warriors beat Grandview 38-0 to advance to the state semifinals.
LIBERTY — Liberty North and Raymore-Peculiar started their Missouri Class 6 state semifinal game early afternoon Saturday, Nov. 21 under overcast skies growing darker as the game clock ticked away.
SMITHVILLE — Smithville football did not put its high-powered offense on display in the state quarterfinals.
LIBERTY — Senior running back Zac Willingham-Davis started this season ready to be the lead running back for Liberty North.
LIBERTY — Liberty North entered the district championship hoping to avoid the fourth-quarter deficits it had faced in half of their contests through ten games of the season.
SMITHVILLE — Smithville football let the Kearney Bulldogs hang around during their first matchup this season before pulling away in the second half.
KEARNEY — When Kearney football faced Winnetonka in early October, the Bulldogs let a late lead slip by allowing the Griffins to score 20 unanswered points in the final 14 minutes of game time.
SMITHVILLE — Smithville football powered past another opponent as the Warriors shut out Lafayette 42-0 in the Class 4 District 8 semifinals Friday, Nov. 6, at Smithville High School.
LIBERTY — Liberty North football put together one of its most complete games this year in a 44-0 win over Rock Bridge in the Class 6 District 4 semifinals Friday, Nov. 6, at Liberty North High School.
LIBERTY — Liberty football scored a last minute touchdown to force overtime before senior kicker Alek Rottjakob hit a 38-yard field goal to give the Blue Jays a 31-28 win over Blue Springs Friday, Nov. 6, at Liberty High School.
KEARNEY — Kearney football advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a grinding 22-7 victory over Excelsior Springs Friday, Oct. 30 at Kearney High School.
LIBERTY — Senior quarterback Luke Smith played a statistically flawless game to lead Liberty to a 48-28 victory over Blue Springs South in the playoff opener Friday, Oct. 30 at Liberty High School.
LIBERTY — Liberty North football advances past the first round of the playoffs with a 49-7 blowout win over Hickman Friday, Oct. 31 at Liberty North High School.
With the regular season completed, Missouri State High School Activities Association officially released the state tournament brackets for football on Saturday.
