Park Hill South’s Darrien Jones rushed for 13 yards in the district championship against Liberty North on Nov. 12.
The Park Hill South football team had a season of the ages with multiple school records set, but the Panthers didn’t get the story book ending they had hoped for when they fell 34-14 to Liberty North in the Class 6 District 4 Championship on Nov. 12.
The Panthers entered the contest with an unbeaten record and a program-record 11 victories on the fall when they stepped onto the Park Hill District Stadium to take on Liberty North, who had won its last 10 contests after dropping the season opener to an Arkansas opponent. The Park Hill South players found themselves trailing by double digits early when the Eagles took a 10-0 lead after the opening quarter.
The Panthers narrowed the deficit with a 39-yard passing touchdown late in the first half from Nathan Ricco to Mudia Rueben. After trailing 10-7 at the break, Park Hill South struggled in the second half when Liberty North scored the first 14 third quarter points.
The Panthers made a comeback attempt late in the third quarter with another touchdown connection from Ricco to Rueben, this time from 21 yards out, and Park Hill South trailed 24-14. The Eagles closed out the contest with a pair of touchdown runs in the final 12:00 of action, while the Panthers were unable to get back on the scoreboard. Park Hill South had 288 yards of total offense but turned the ball over four times.
Ricco completed 11 of his 30 pass attempts for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while the quarterback rushed three times for 24 yards and had two fumbles. Lucas Oitker rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries and caught two passes for 22 yards, while Darrien Jones ended with 13 yards on the ground and a fumble.
Reuben ended his impressive senior campaign with five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Jay Romelus had three catches for 49 yards and Jack Bjorn ended with one reception for 29 yards.