Kansas City Star, The (MO)
June 20, 2007
Edition: 1
Section: SPORTS
Page: IN13

Tough defense is not enough
Author: COLE YOUNG, The Kansas City Star

There was no question what stars shined the brightest for the Missouri squad in the Mo-Kan All-Star football game last Thursday at Blue Valley High School.

Missouri's defense held the Kansas squad to only six points, but the only problem was that the Missouri offense could muster only three in a 6-3 loss.

Even with a low offensive output, the defense and special teams kept the Missourians in the game and allowed them a chance to try a 41-yard field goal with 1 minute, 28 seconds left in the game. The attempt by Andrew Korth of Grandview failed. Only a minute before, Kansas had broken the 3-3 tie on a 25-yard field goal by Jared Witter of Shawnee Mission West. Witter and Korth had traded field goals in the second and third quarters, respectively.

"It's a lot easier on defense to come together, after not playing with these guys," Isaac McFarland of North Kansas City said. "Defense is defense. You just go out there and make plays and hits. We're all all-stars, we can make plays. Offense is more difficult, you have to mesh."

For much of the game, the Missouri defensive line, led by Garrett Smith of St. Pius X and Sean Tray Bryson of Blue Springs, had the Kansas quarterbacks scrambling for most of the game.
Smith had two sacks, and Bryson had one sack and blocked a field goal attempt.

Missouri special teams also blocked a field goal attempt and a punt. Tony Randolph of Blue Springs South blocked the punt.

Neither blocked kick resulted in any points.

"Our offense wasn't getting it in," said McFarland, who came close to making an interception in the fourth quarter that might have resulted in a touchdown. "We wanted to hold them. Everyone was looking for that pick and score. I almost had it. I wish I did."

The strong defensive performance was no surprise for Pleasant Hill coach Kyle Roach, who served as the Missouri head coach.

"This went to script about like every all-star game I've ever seen," he said. "Both teams broke some big ones, but it's hard to sustain a drive."

With such a short amount of practice time both teams had trouble developing a good offense.

Still, Excelsior Springs tight end Kyle Kilgore thought the offense might have done more.

"It's a little harder because we didn't have much time," he said. "We didn't have time to get used to everybody. We should have done more though. I was just waiting for the offense or defense to make the big play and score."

Copyright (c) 2007 The Kansas City Star