The Park Hill South football team shocked the defending Class 5 State Runner-up as the Panthers pounced Platte County in the opening week 42-14 on August 27.
Park Hill South running back Hay Romelus jumps from a tackle attempt from Platte County defender Dylan Mitchell in the second half of the season opener on Friday night.
The Pirates lead early as a muffed punt by Park Hill South in the first four minutes turned into a special team’s touchdown by Platte County’s Cole Rhoden. The Panthers marched back down the field and Nathan Ricco connected with Jack Bjorn for a 12-yard touchdown reception to even up the score 7-7.
“After that muffed punt, we just kept battling and battling,” Park Hill South head coach Alan Wilmes said. “We told them the game doesn’t end in the first quarter so you have to overcome early mistakes.”
After falling down 14-7, the Pirates found themselves deep in their own territory but answered with a 93-yard pass from Jared Parsons to Rhoden with 5:57 remaining in the first half. Platte County never found the end zone again as Park Hill South scored 28 unanswered points in the remainder of the game.
“We knew that whoever could get some long drives in the first half was going to win this game because the opposing defense was going to be gassed,” Platte County head coach Bill Utz said. “I think that happened to us a little bit; our defense was out there way too much but we were still able to get some stops.”
Park Hill South’s Briggs Bartosh stuffed the stat sheet with 15 rushing attempts for 208 yards and one reception for 19 yards. Bartosh also had a pair of rushing touchdowns in the second half for 70 yards and 55 yards.
“He is a special kid, you will be hearing his name often this year. He runs the ball fearlessly and can do it all, he is a great human being and a great football player for us,” Wilmes said.
Parsons started at quarterback under the Friday night lights for the first time in his Pirate career when the junior completed 11 of his 28 pass attempts for 171 yards and a touchdown. The Pirate also threw one interception in the contest as Park Hill South’s Chase Fitch returned it 41 yards for another Panther touchdown in the first play of the fourth quarter to put them up 33-14.
“Parsons would be the first one to tell you he has some things to work on, but I think he did some good things. He had that long touchdown in the first half and I thought the second half he came out and took a challenge to have some good drives, they just didn’t turn into any points,” Utz said.