KEARNEY – For the third time in the last four years, the Highway 92 Showdown between the Platte County football team (1-0) and Kearney (0-1) was won by the Pirates.
The rivals typically play each other early on and after a tough 21-14 overtime loss in the series to start the 2022 season, Platte County got back on the winning side on August 25. It was a slugfest early on without a score before the Pirates took over and eventually came out on top, 21-18.
Over 19 minutes of game time passed before there was a score, with Kearney striking first. The home team knocked down a field goal with 4:24 left in the first half on what was a relatively long drive.
The first half was drive heavy, with both teams having only three drives each as Platte County’s best drive ended with a turnover on downs in the red zone. Kearney went into the locker room up 3-0.
Sophomore quarterback Rocco Marriott put the Pirates ahead with 2:57 remaining in the third quarter. In his first career start, Marriott connected with Wayne Baskerville for an 18-yard score.
Kearney wasted no time and drove down the field with a scoring effort, getting on the scoreboard with a touchdown in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Trailing 14-10, Marriott threw a dart to Braiden Stevens who was streaking down the middle of the field with no defenders near him and took it 69 yards to the house.
Kearney had a 61-yard touchdown run on the ensuing possession that was negated due to a penalty and had to punt. Platte County capitalized on the opportunity, pushing the lead to two possessions when Adam Gisler scored his first career touchdown by breaking loose for 44 yards.
The Platte County defense continued to step up late, causing the fourth Kearney turnover of the night when linebacker Darrell Smith Jr. forced a fumble and Meritt Bigus recovered it with 3:30 left in the game.
Kearney forced a stop, got the ball back and scored a quick 25-yard touchdown to narrow the deficit to 21-18 but had an unsuccessful onside kick. The Pirates were able to kneel out the clock head home 1-0.
Marriott had an impressive outing, passing for 160 yards and throwing for two scores and one interception. He also rushed for 22 yards on 13 attempts.
Gisler led the rushing attack with 122 yards on 15 carries, along with a touchdown. Baskerville had a team-high five catches for 75 yards and a score, while no other receiver had more than one catch.
Ty Christopher had a big day on defense with a forced fumble and interception, singlehandedly being responsible for half of Kearney’s turnovers. Platte County will look for its first win over Smithville (1-0) since 2020 in the home opener on September 1.