Coming off its first regular season loss in two years, the Park Hill South football team (2-1) defense stepped up to help the Panthers bounce back, taking down Lee’s Summit West (1-2) 22-12 on September 9.
The Park Hill South defense led the Panthers to a 22-12 win over Lee’s Summit West on Sept. 9.
The Panthers’ defense was a key factor in the tenth straight regular season home win – dating back to 2020 – starting when they scored the first points of the contest with a safety. Neither offense had much going for them in the opening 12:00 of play, with zero points across the scoreboard when the second quarter began.
After the Panthers started the period with a three-and-out, Jayvius Smith intercepted a Titan pass at the Lee’s Summit West 25-yard line. An offensive holding on 2nd down stalled Park Hill South’s offense, which was unable to capitalize on the turnover.
After Mason Love punted the ball to the Titans’ 5-yard line, the Park Hill South defense forced a safety on the ensuing play with 7:50 left in the first half. The Panthers added to the 2-0 lead with all five plays of the following drive being rushes by Darrien Jones, capped off with a 1-yard score to push the lead to 9-0.
Lee’s Summit West responded with a 10-play, 80-yard drive that concluded with a 29-yard passing touchdown with 1:26 to play in the half. Park Hill South had a tight 9-7 margin at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter, Briggs Bartosh used his athleticism in the open field to take a pass from Drew Paulakovich 96 yards to the house, giving the Panthers a 16-7 advantage with 8:20 left in regulation. The Titans chipped at the deficit with a rare 5-point sequence – converting on a 30-yard field goal and blocking a punt in the end zone, causing a safety – and Park Hill South’s lead was cut to 16-12.
Two plays into the ensuing Lee’s Summit West possession, Marcel Milner intercepted a pass and took it the distance with 2:32 on the clock. The Titans only gained two yards of offense on four plays in their final drive and the Panthers were able to kneel out the final 1:21 of the clock.
Jones had 16 carries for 88 yards and Bartosh rushed 12 times for 56 yards, along with two receptions for 100 yards. The Panthers will hit the road to take on the team that ended their season in the Class 6 District 4 Championship Game – Liberty North (3-0) – on September 16.