Tigers Show Fight in Tough Road Test Against North Kansas City

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Excelsior Springs Tigers hit the road Friday night to face a talented North Kansas City Hornets squad and came away with plenty of bright spots, despite falling 48-10.

Quarterback Landon Marcum kept the Tigers’ passing attack moving, completing 12 of 23 throws for 169 yards. His favorite target was Owen O’Dell, who turned in a big night with eight catches for 109 yards, including several key first-down grabs that kept drives alive. Senior Ben Davidson also added 40 receiving yards on a pair of receptions.

Running back Nick Mubanga broke through late in the fourth quarter for the Tigers’ touchdown, muscling in from nine yards out to cap off a determined scoring drive. Mubanga finished with three carries and nine yards, while also giving the Tigers an emotional lift with his hard running.

On special teams, Gabe Carr provided consistent field position, averaging 24 yards per return on six kickoffs, with a long of 39. Marcum and Marques Shouse also handled punting duties, flipping the field multiple times.

Defensively, the Tigers were tested by North Kansas City’s high-powered offense, which relied on explosive plays both on the ground and through the air. Still, several Excelsior Springs players stepped up. O’Dell and Shouse each recorded tackles, while Davidson came away with a fumble recovery.

North Kansas City built its lead with a flurry of scoring in the first half, including a pair of touchdown runs from Samuel Zinnah and long passing plays that stretched the field. But the Tigers refused to fold, battling until the final whistle and finding the end zone in the fourth quarter to finish on a high note.

Excelsior Springs (0-3) will look to build on the positives from this game as they regroup for their next matchup vs. Raytown (2-1) at home this Friday, Sept. 19.