In a highly penalized game – that saw 32 flags thrown, negating 295 total yards on 111 total plays – the Platte County football team (1-2) survived a grudge match against North Kansas City (2-1) to give the Pirates their first tally in the win column this fall in the aftermath of a 25-14 victory on September 9.
Platte County has struggled with penalties early in the season, with 18 in the opening two games before being flagged 16 times for a loss of 130 yards against the Hornets. It became heated in the second half – with multiple dead ball and unsportsmanlike conducts whistled for penalties – with North Kansas City having 16 violations that cost it 165 yards.
“That’s the hard part, the referees are doing the best job that they can and really everything they called us on was probably worthy; it was just one of those things,” Platte County head coach Bill Utz said. “You can play these games and sometimes they’re clean and everything looks good, and then you can play them and they’re ugly, and tonight was definitely one of those nights that was ugly.”
The Hornets struck first with a 49-yard passing touchdown in the first three minutes of the game and the Pirates responded with a score with 1:01 left in the opening period. Nate Walls took a screen pass from Dylan Zimmerman, juked out multiple Hornets, and took it 59 yards to the end zone to tie the game.
“I thought the screen early for the touchdown was an excellent call by our coaches; that was a well drawn up play and then the players executed it. The running game wasn’t great, but that was also against a very good defensive line, but we did get some plays when we needed them,” Utz said.
With the loss of three-year starting wideout Carter Salzman – who broke his collarbone in the week two loss against Smithville (2-1) – the Pirates brought defensive star Chandavian Bradley over to the offense from time to time. On Platte County’s first drive of the second quarter, the University of Tennessee commit ran a streaking route down the left sideline in double coverage, turned around and brought in a pass at the 13-yard line and ran into the end zone for a 38-yard score, which was the first offensive touchdown of his career.
“We put Bradley over on the offensive side for some things and he made some plays to kind of get us going. Dom Spears stepped up and had a great game in a situation where we needed to see growth out of him, and he answered the bell on that,” Utz said.
Left to right: Tristan Magnuson, Chandavian Bradley and Dom Spears celebrate after a first half touchdown in the Pirates 25-14 win over North Kansas City on Sept. 9.
Spears was a key vertical threat – specifically in the second half – leading the Pirates with five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. The PAT kick was unsuccessful after Bradley’s touchdown, making the score 13-7, and the Hornets went up 14-13 with another passing touchdown in the final six minutes of the half.
Platte County senior kicker Aaron Cordova sunk a 21-yard field goal with 2:46 on the clock to give the Pirates a 16-14 margin at the break. The Platte County defense stepped up in the second half when the Pirates shut out the Hornets, forced two interceptions, blocked a punt and had a safety.
“The defense has played well all year, and tonight it started when we got some pressure. We were able to get the turnovers but there were so many opportunities there too; we’ve got a lot of young kids out there running around that are still learning every week,” Utz said.
Spears brought in a 20-yard reception in the end zone in the third quarter to push the Pirates’ lead to 23-14. Cordova had an impressive kick following the score, that was downed at the 1-yard line, and on the next play Bradley forced a Hornet fumble in the Pirates’ end zone that North Kansas City jumped on, which resulted in a safety.
Garrett Smith-Dean picked off North Kansas City quarterback Garin Walton twice, one in each of the final two quarters. After three hours of action, the game finally came to a close and the Pirates were awarded their first win of the fall.
“It was definitely a long game; some of that was our own doing and some of that was just the nature of the way the game ended up. I don’t want to say that things are must-wins because I try not to look at it like winning is the most important thing, but from a program standpoint, it’s some good news for us,” Utz said.
There were high stakes entering the night as Platte County was not only searching for its first victory of 2022 but was also the only winless squad among teams who will be in the Class 5 District 8 Tournament when the postseason arrives. North Kansas City was undefeated before the night started, with the contest being even more pivotal for the Pirates.
“We needed that win; I’m proud of them for stepping up when they did, and they were able to get this done. It’s obviously a big win for postseason stuff when it comes to district seating and whatnot,” Utz said.
Bradley impressed on offense, bringing in 3 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown when Zimmerman completed 23 of his 38 pass attempts for a career high 309 passing yards and three touchdowns, while also throwing an interception. Platte County will head to Grain Valley (1-2) for a Suburban White matchup on September 16.