Trae Taylor, No. 2 Millard South surge late to break away from Lee's Summit North

In the first half, the Patriots had the ball seven times, the Broncos eight. Yet after 15 drives, the score was a meager 7-7.

Patriots quarterback Trae Taylor, a Nebraska commit who had 183 passing yards and 33 rushing yards for the night, tried passing on the first drive and came up empty four of five times. Part of that was due to the efforts of Husker commit, Lee's Summit North linebacker Chase Green, another Husker commit who was ever-present to break up plays.

Luckily for the Patriots (2-0) the Broncos (1-1) made their fair share of offensive mistakes. The Patriots' first score came on their fourth drive, after the Broncos fumbled a punt return at the beginning of the second quarter. Taylor threw a four-yard pass to tight end Carter Margheim.

A turnover on downs by Millard South with five minutes left in the second quarter led to a series of rushing plays by Broncos' Bryce Thompson, who scored on a 35-yard run. A good kick, and the game was tied at seven.

Another piece of the Patriots' first half struggles was wide receiver Tay Ellis' limited targets. Taylor only had one complete pass to Ellis for 12 yards in the first half. The Patriots started the second half with two in a row, and Ellis finished the night with 70 receiving yards. 

A 33-yard field goal by Kooper Wilkason in the 3rd quarter put the Patriots up 10-7. A five play drive at the end of the third quarter and a good kick by Wilkason put them up 17-7. Millard South was settling in, but with 12 minutes left of play, the stadium still felt unsettled.

And then, with less than 10 minutes left in the game, a 54-yard pick six by Aiden Marshall was the jolt Millard South needed to get the win. The Broncos touchdown with six minutes left wasn't enough to put them over the top.

Much like last week's game against Millard North, Millard South shone brightest today in the second half. Taylor totaled 183 passing yards and 33 rushing yards.

Millard South (2-0) will play at No. 8 Elkhorn South next week.

MS: Taylor 4 yd pass to Margheim, Kooper Wilkason kick is good

LSN: 35 yd rushing touchdown by Bryce Thompson, Grant Scribner kick is good

MS: Kooper Wilkason kicks a 33 Yd Field Goal

MS: Trae Taylor with a 9 Yd Rushing TD, Kooper Wilkason kick is good

MS: Aidan Marshall with a 54-yard pick six. Kooper Wilkason kick is good

LSN: Kenzo Hockerson, 20 yd rushing TD, Grant Scribner kick is good