West Platte struck first and took a two-score lead but couldn’t stop Plattsburg over the next three quarters.
The Tigers rolled to a 38-28 victory behind scoring 38 unanswered to beat the Bluejays in the KCI Conference finale on Friday, Oct. 19 at Rudolph Eskridge Stadium in Weston.
West Platte ended the regular season losing its final eight games, but things started off on a good note against Plattsburg (2-7).
Quarterback Noah Johnson had touchdown runs of 29 and 1 yard in the first quarter, giving the Bluejays (1-8) an early lead. Point after attempts by Gavin Davis made it 14-0 after the initial 12 minutes.
Plattsburg turned to its quarterback in the second quarter to get on the board, with touchdown runs of 16 and 14 yards from Gannon Steggall. Both PAT missed and West Platte remained up 14-12 at halftime.
Plattsburg, coached by former St. Joseph Central coach Jeff Wallace, went to the air for the go-ahead score when Steggall hit Kaden Hodge for a 39-yard score in the third quarter. DeRon Burnside ran for a 66 yard touchdown for the Tigers in the third quarter, pushing the lead to 25-14.
The Tigers, which snapped a six-game losing streak, had the first two scores of the fourth quarter.
Steggall had an 8-yard scoring run and then threw a 14-yard strike to Austin Stevens, making it 38-14.
The Bluejays added two more scores to pull within 10. Davis ran for a 10-yard touchdown and Brayden Cogan had a 32-yard touchdown catch from Johnson.
Johnson accounted for more than 400 yards of total offense in the losing effort. He ran for 222 yards on 30 carries and then threw for 184 yards. He accounted for three total touchdowns, but threw three interceptions — two hauled in by Steggall.
Meanwhile, Plattsburg’s signal caller accounted for five scores and threw for 282 yards.
Looking ahead
It was a case of deja vu again for West Platte when the district seeds were announced. For the second year in a row, the Bluejays will play East Buchanan in the opening round of the postseason.
East Buchanan has won nine straight against West Platte, including two last season. They can accomplish that feat again with a win on Friday, Oct. 26 in Gower. East Buchanan won 48-20 earlier this year.
The last win for the Bluejays in the series was a 41-20 win in 2010