August 22, 2020

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

It was a Friday night at Broncos Stadium with the regular season opener just one week away and the Lee’s Summit North Broncos football team was hard at work.

Coaches whistles could be heard, players gathered around their position coaches, while other players took a water break providing even more indication that this activity was like any other year. However a closer look would show this is very much unlike any year before.

A normal night would find the Broncos hosting a jamboree with three other teams participating. Fans would be in the stands or in line for concessions while the Booster Club sells t-shirts at a table near the stadium entrance.

On this particular Friday night every stadium entrance was closed as every gate was locked. No one was in the stands, in line for concessions or waiting to enter into the stadium. Many of the Broncos football players not on the field were separated by position groups further distancing themselves from other teammates.

There were a few LS North fans who decided to drop by and take a look just outside the front entrance. One of them was Jessica Dwyer of Lake Lotawana who had two children attend LS North last school year. Dwyer has a daughter who plays soccer and saw her senior season get wiped out this past spring before going on to graduate. Still attending LS North is a son who plays football and now is a wrestler for the Broncos.

Dwyer feels fans should be allowed to “go in person” to football games this fall. She says, “Fans should be able to attend, wear masks and be smart about it.” She feels students should “continue to be living.”

The first game of the 2020 football season for the LS North Broncos is set for Friday, August 28 when they are scheduled to host Blue Springs South at 7 p.m. At this time, no decision has been made if the game will be played as scheduled, postponed or canceled.