For the first time in program history, the Park Hill South football team ended the regular season with a 9-0 record as the Panthers defeated St. Joseph’s Central 51-27 on Oct. 21.
In 2003, the Panthers entered the postseason with eight wins and no losses and won its next contest before falling to Park Hill in the district championship. Park Hill South has currently tied the 18-year-old record for most wins without a loss – including postseason - and if the Panthers win their next game, they will break the record for most victories without a loss in a season.
In the regular season finale, it was a tale of two halves for the Panthers, who had two costly first half turnovers and were tied with the Indians at the break before Park Hill South outscored its opponent 30-6 in the second half. The Panthers came alive in the final 24:00, scoring a pair of quick touchdowns to start the third quarter before cruising to another dominant victory.
“We didn’t think we would be tied at half, but we outscored them heavily in the second half,” Park Hill South head coach Alan Wilmes said. “We were happy with the way we came out at halftime and overcame the adversity.”
A huge kickoff return by Elano Alvarez led to a 12-yard rushing touchdown from Darrien Jones to start the second half. Park Hill South responded by forcing a Central punt and then three offensive plays later, the Panthers extended their lead 34-21 with a 22-yard rushing touchdown by Lucas Oitker.
“We expected to come out of the gate hot offensively, but it doesn’t always work out like that, so we had to regroup. Central had a few good stops in the third quarter so we had to reset and score some more in the fourth quarter,” Wilmes said.
Park Hill South added a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter to give it 16 points on 16 offensive plays, while the Indians rushed in for a short touchdown at the end of the quarter narrowing the deficit, 37-27. The Panthers closed out the contest in fashion with a pair of touchdowns to give them 51 points in the regular season finale.
Park Hill South’s Evan Winter rushes Central’s quarterback in the Panthers 51-27 win on Oct. 21 to lead Park Hill South to a 9-0 start.
Nathan Ricco connected with Mudia Rueben for a 35-yard score and Oitker rushed into the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown. Reuben caught both of Ricco’s passing touchdowns in the contest as he ended with five receptions for 77 yards.
Oitker ran all over the Indian defense as the junior rushed for 148 yards and 2 scores on 18 carries. Jones finished with 13 rushing attempts for 62 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
The ninth consecutive win of the fall not only gave the Panthers an undefeated record, but Park Hill South locked in the top-seed at districts and won its conference. Coach Wilmes told the Platte County Citizen that while he’s happy with Park Hill South’s accomplishments, none of it matters when the postseason begins.
“It is great for the kids, the school and for the community, but we want more. We want to make it deep into the playoffs and make a run to the state title game,” Wilmes said.
The Panthers locked in the top-seed in their district as Park Hill South’s next game will be against Blue Springs South (0-9) in the first round of the Class 6 District 4 Tournament at Park Hill District Stadium on Oct. 29.