Photo Credit: David Smith/Special to PrepsKC 
Facing its biggest test yet, Lee’s Summit North kept its composure and took care of business.
The No. 1-ranked Broncos secured a 28-21 comeback victory against crosstown rival Lee’s Summit West on Friday night, keeping their undefeated season intact. Senior quarterback Elijah Leonard lunged in for a touchdown run with 2 minutes, 47 seconds remaining that proved to be the game-winning score during a back-and-forth contest.
Lee’s Summit North coach Jamar Mozee said he was glad to see his team deliver down the stretch and stave off the upset bid from the Titans.
“There was a lot of good maturity there on the finish,” Mozee said. “We made some mistakes, and Leonard made some mistakes. But he finished. That’s what this is about, working hard and being tough enough to finish.
“Mentally tough at this time of year, and he did that. Our guys did that.”
In a battle of undefeated district rivals, Lee’s Summit West (7-1) set the tone from the get-go.
The Titans forced a punt to open the game and proceeded to score on their first two offensive drives, putting them in front 14-7 early in the second quarter at that point. Senior running back Quincy Torry scored all three of the team’s touchdowns and embodies the team’s relentless attitude from start to finish.
“We saw some things on film that we wanted to attack,” Lee’s Summit West coach Willie Horn said. “Our front did a pretty good job of setting the tone, scoring some points and getting things going.
“… I told the kids they have nothing to hang their heads about.”
But each time they fell behind, the top-ranked Broncos (8-0) found a way to respond immediately.
Junior receiver Isaiah Mozee finished off a lengthy drive with a tackle-breaking catch-and-run that pulled the team even shortly before halftime. And after a scoreless third quarter, Isaiah Mozee struck again on a 14-yard touchdown that put the Titans in front for the first time.
“Our connection is real strong. We’ve been working all summer to get to this point,” Leonard said of Isaiah’s playmaking ability. “They were really great touchdowns, and that’s what he does for us.”
Lee’s Summit West quickly answered to make it 21-21 after Torry’s third touchdown run of the game with just more than 8 minutes remaining. But that’s when the Broncos took control for good.
Lee’s Summit North put together a lengthy drive that featured a blend of running and passing that also took 5½ minutes off of the clock. And with the ball at the 1-yard line, Leonard kept it himself, reached the ball across the plane and gave his team the lead for good.
Leonard said he feels like he plays better when under pressure, and that the entire team rose to the occasion when it mattered most.
“We just stayed composed,” Leonard said. “We like to go at our own pace, don’t let the defense speed us up. We just like to execute, make the blocks right, run the ball, throw it. Whatever it takes to get down the field.”
Lee’s Summit West had one more chance to tie the game and appeared to draw a defensive penalty that would have gotten them closer to the end zone. But Isaac McIntosh snagged an interception – the Broncos’ third takeaway of the game – on the same play, and the flag was picked up after a discussion by the referees.
Running back Tanner Howes, who scored North’s first touchdowns, then picked up a first down that ensured the Broncos stayed perfect and effectively locked up the No. 1 seed in the Class 6, District 6 standings.
Despite the loss, Horn said he was proud of the way his team performed on such a big stage and looks forward to watching how the team responds the rest of the way.
“Our team is tough, gritty, and that’s the work we put in during the offseason,” Horn said. “We were able to put that on display tonight. There are some things that we did not do well, but we’ll learn from it. That’s a part of dealing with success.
“… Our kids were in a playoff-type atmosphere, and we battled. Nothing to hang our head about.”
