On Aug. 19, Excelsior Springs varsity football coach Mark Faubion and his staff glimpsed how their Tigers might match up against other teams. That evening, the Tigers participated in a preseason jamboree, hosted by Platte County High School. Two Kansas Citybased private schools also participated – St. Pius X and Pembroke Hill. Last season, St. Pius was the Class 3 state runner-up, finishing 12-2. Playing in Class 2, Pembroke Hill went 5-5. One of the Raiders’ losses was to St. Pius. Another was to Richmond in neighboring Ray County. The teams played in controlled scrimmages against one other, with each offense allowed to run 12 plays, starting from its opponent’s 40-yard line. The offensive units had four downs to pick up a first down. If they didn’t, they returned to the 40. The teams started their respective offensive series with their projected season-opening starters on the field for an average of five and seven plays before coaches began making substitutions. “Our older guys…