LIBERTY, MO. ? Tyler Lawrence dropped back in the pocket, made one read and threw a perfectly arced pass to Stephen Blumhardt in the corner of the end zone – touchdown, team Kansas.

Unfortunately for the Kansas University quarterback recruit, it would be the most protection he’d see all night from his offensive line.

Missouri defeated Kansas, 21-7, Thursday night at William Jewell College’s Norris Patterson Field. It was Missouri’s sixth straight victory against Kansas in the Greater Kansas City Football all-star game.

The Missouri team’s defensive line put Lawrence under pressure all game. The Shawnee Mission West standout said he improvised more than usual on the field.

“We only had eight days to practice, and it’s hard to teach an entire blocking scheme,” Lawrence said. “You have to give them credit as well. They’re obviously all-stars and here for a reason, and our line did what they could.”

It was difficult for Lawrence to get into an offensive rhythm. He and Blue Valley West quarterback Aaron Trigg played every other possession on offense.

“You’d finally get in there and feel warm, you’d go throw and you’d sit out for five or seven minutes,” Lawrence said. “I think I was in for two plays in the third quarter. My legs were tight and my arms were tight.”

Quarterback Tyler Lawrence, right, tries to avoid a defender. Lawrence, a Kansas University recruit, threw for the Kansas high school squad's lone touchdown in a 21-7 loss to Missouri on Thursday night in Liberty, Mo.

Lawrence finished the game 4-of-12 passing, with 44 yards and a touchdown.

Whenever the Kansas team established momentum defensively, the offense didn’t turn the opportunity into points. In the third quarter, the Missouri team faced a third-and-two situation, ahead 14-7. Lawrence High linebacker Scott Penney ran across the field at full speed and laid out to make a tackle and save a Missouri first down. Kansas stopped Missouri on fourth down, giving the ball – and the momentum – back to Kansas.

On the ensuing possession, Kansas fumbled the ball and Missouri recovered – so much for the momentum.

Fumbles made the game sloppy at times. Eight fumbles took place – six for the Kansas team and two for the Missouri team.

The Missouri team focused on a power running game with the combination of Raymore-Peculiar High’s Thomas Hodges and Park Hill High’s Anthon Aiono. Missouri ran eight plays on its first possession of the game. Seven of them were runs, including a one-yard touchdown run in between the tackles by Aiono.

“They had some really powerful runners and we were just trying to keep a contain on them – we just had trouble stopping it tonight,” Free State High safety Brett Lisher said.

Lisher said because of Missouri’s power running game, he often cheated up on the line of scrimmage, particularly on bootleg pass situations where Missouri quarterbacks scrambled out of the pocket. In these situations, he said he was utilized as more of an outside linebacker.

Lawrence High grad Scott Penny follows the ball during the first half of the Greater Kansas City Football all-star game. The Missouri squad beat the Kansas squad, 21-7, in Thursday's game at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.

Another turning point took place in the second quarter with Missouri ahead, 7-0. On Kansas’ fifth offensive possession, Lawrence was forced to scramble clear out of the pocket. He eventually ran out of room. He was sacked, and the football became loose and was left vacant on the turf. Blue Springs High defensive lineman Jordon Pellock picked the ball up and returned it 34 yards for a Missouri touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

After Lawrence’s strike to Blumhardt, of Blue Valley High, to make the game 14-7, Missouri wouldn’t score again until late in the fourth quarter.

Free State wide receiver Nick Ayre saw limited action. He didn’t record a catch.

Hodges was named team MVP for the Missouri team. Blue Valley High linebacker Cody Scribner was named team MVP for the Kansas team.