Cody Guthrie continued his prolific rushing campaign with another 100-yard performance Friday at Mid-Buchanan High School in Faucett, Mo.The senior quarterback ran for 112 yards on 10 carries, and his four total touchdowns provided a spark for a 47-20 win in KCI Conference play. With the result, West Platte to leapfrogged Hamilton in the most recent Class 1 media state rankings. The Bluejays defeted the Hornets 32-28 a week ago to move into the rankings at No. 7 — one spot behind Hamilton.
The two teams flip-flopped this week.
Against Mid-Buchanan, West Platte scored the first four touchdowns en route to a 26-8 halftime lead. Guthrie accounted for two scores in that span — one passing and one rushing, both in the second quarter.
West Platte senior fullback Conner Salmons scored first on a 50-yard run, and Brett Shepardson then caught the first of his two touchdown receptions, a 31-yard strike to extend the lead to 12-0. Guthrie once again showed off his speed with a 70-yard touchdown run to push the advantage to 20-0. Aidian Vece recovered a blocked punt in the end zone to cap the 26-straight points.
Shepardson added his second touchdown catch just after halftime on a 38-yard strike from Guthrie. Shepardson then finalized scoring with a 34 yard run late in the fourth quarter to complete his record-setting night.
West Platte retained its top spot in the Class 1 District 7 standings with a 46.33-38.66 point advantage over second-place Plattsburg, who makes the trip to Weston this week. Regardless of points, the winner would likely claim the top seed.
West Platte also needs to win out and hope for a Hamilton upset of Class 2 No. 4-ranked East Buchanan in the final regular season game to clinch a share of a three-way tie for the KCI crown. The Bulldogs handed West Platte its lone loss of the season in Week 3.
East Buchanan 66, North Platte 7
The Panthers’ losing streak sits at four games after another blowout loss, this time at East Buchanan. All of the losses in the span since North Platte’s lone win vs. Mid-Buchanan have been by more than 30 points.
Despite the tough stretch, North Platte looks in position to grab a favorable district seed. The Panthers currently sit in the No. 6 spot in District 7 with their one win, ahead of winless Mid-Buchanan and Orrick.
East Buchanan’s Ryan Kilgore opened Friday’s scoring on a 30-yard run, and Austin Potter added a 28-yard fumble return to push the advatage to two scores.
Triston Rickel scored the lone touchdown for the Panthers on a 33-yard run. The senior running back finished with 45 yards on five carries.
North Platte backup quarterback Landon Montgomery led the passing attack with 4-for-7 passing for 45 yards. The freshman led a late scoring drive in a Week 6 loss to Lathrop.
North Platte hosts Hamilton in the Panthers’ final home game Friday at North Platte High School.