The "new" schools....as in the Ruskin/Hickman Mills consolidation and the new Liberty North High School. It will be very interesting to see what kind of program Head Coach Greg Valenzueala fields at Ruskin.  In 2009 Ruskin and Hickman Mills were both Class 4 schools. Ruskin's enrollment was 1202 and Hickman Mill's was 919. Now in 2010, with the schools combined at Ruskin, the enrollment is 1741 and Ruskin has jumped to Class 5. They also play in the Suburban Mid 6 and will face a step up in competition with the likes of Park Hill, Lees Summit West, Lees Summit and Ray Pec on their schedule.  Several of the coaches I talked to listed Ruskin as one of the sleeper teams in the metro this season. Liberty North fields an all-underclassmen team in their first year of play. Most of the times in the past these first year programs struggle a little their first season but show great improvement in year two..if not late in year one depending on what kind of competition they have in district play. The Liberty North District includes Kearney, Smithville and Excelsior Springs so it won't be an easy road but it wouldn't be unthinkable for them to sneak into the second place spot in district. It will also be very interesting to see how the split affects Liberty High School. I'm thinking with the program already established and winning it's won't have much affect. (more)