COLUMBIA, Mo. — Platte County’s return to a state championship game came with a 17-year wait.
There is some history on the Pirates’ side as they will look to make a return to state championship next fall after falling 48-0 to Webb City on Friday, Dec. 6.
The Pirates will still have a lot to prove going into next year. Despite being the state runner-up in Class 4, Platte County actually finished fourth in the final media poll of the year, which was released on Monday, Dec. 9. Ahead of the Pirates were Camdenton and Ladue Horton Watkins, both teams that also lost to Webb City. The only other class where that happened was in Class 2, where state runner-up Ava was third behind Lathrop, which lost to eventual state champion Lutheran North in the semifinals.
“I think it was a good experience to feel what this kind of game is like,” said Platte County quarterback Chris Ruhnke, who projects to be one of five returning starters for the Pirates next fall. “Going into the offseason to work and get back to the same spot.”
History, at least in Class 4, shows that it is possible to make consecutive trips to state even if your school name isn’t Webb City, which temporarily held the lead for most state titles at 15 after beating Platte County. The next day, Valle Catholic beat Lincoln to match the state record.
Eight times this decade, Webb City reached the state championship game and won five in a row from 2010 to 2014.
There were other teams in recent years that have made frequent trips to the state title game. Ladue lost the championship game in 2017 to Webb City, but won the title last year. Suburban Conference rival Kearney made back-to-back title appearances in 2015 and 2016. Jefferson City Helias made it back-to-back in 2008 and 2009, as well as 2012 and 2013.
The Pirates will have some key weapons back on offense in Ruhnke, running back Cayden Davis and wide receivers Colby Rollins and Dayton Mitchell, which could provide the pieces needed to get back to Columbia. Ruhnke passed for 2,295 yards and 24 touchdowns and threw 21 of the touchdowns to either Mitchell or Rollins.
TODD NUGENT/Citizen photo
Platte County running back Cayden Davis, left, takes a handoff from quarterback Chris Ruhnke during the Class 4 championship game on Friday, Nov. 6 in Columbia, Mo.
Mitchell hauled in 66 catches for 994 yards and 10 scores, while Rollins averaged more than 20 yards a catch with 726 yards on 34 catches and 11 touchdowns. Davis battled injuries but still hit the 1,000-yard mark with 1,043 — averaging 5.7 yards per carry — and scoring 10 touchdowns. Running back Ben McDaniel got a carry in the state championship game and could move into the role of Trey Phan, one of a handful of skill pieces that will graduate. Those offensive returnees will be a stark contrast to this year when the Pirates needed to replace Dylan Gilbert and Brice Bertram, the top two receivers.
Another difference will be the offensive line. The Pirates returned everyone this year but only junior Trey Butcher is slated to return. The defensive side of the ball loses some key pieces but will return starters in Alex Stearns (defensive tackle), Keaton Smith (defensive tackle), Trevor Scott (linebacker), Forrest Boynton (defensive end) and four from the secondary in Collin Tyson, Spencer Cupp, Tae Bailey and Mitchell, who saw time there late in the season.
Cade Fowler and Jaydon Walls were also two key pieces that were injured this year that could make an impact next fall.