Platte County sophomore running back Adam Gisler ran for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Pirates’ 35-14 loss to Oak Park on Sept. 22.
PLATTE CITY – Forcing six turnovers on the night was huge for the Oak Park football team (5-0) who took down Platte County (3-2) for the third time in the last 366 days on Sept. 22.
Platte County had a promising opening drive to midfield result in a tipped pass being intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Rocco Marriott’s throw was picked off by Caedin Fields at the Pirate 39-yard line on a 2nd and short to give the Northmen an early 7-0 lead.
The Pirates’ offense wasn’t able to respond, and Oak Park got the ball back and scored on two plays to push the margin to 14-0 in the first quarter. Platte County turned the ball over four more times in the first half, counting a turnover on downs in Oak Park territory.
Platte County’s secondary made some plays in the opening two quarters with a pair of forced turnovers, as well. Following an interception from Marriott who was trying to get rid of the ball in his own end zone to avoid a safety, Ayden Watts got his hands on the ball and Cobe Pollard came down with the ball.
The Northmen went up 21-0, then Marriott had another pass intercepted – his fourth of the half – but Tucker McDowell got the ball back for the Pirates. The senior picked off a pitch option in Oak Park territory with right over a minute left until the break.
Marriott went down with an injury on the last drive of the second quarter, so junior Brady Davis subbed in temporarily. The Pirates were unable to get points on the board and went into the locker room trailing by three touchdowns.
Platte County put together a scoring drive in the final four minutes of the third quarter, capped off with a 2-yard rush by Adam Gisler. The Pirates had a chance to force a stop, but the Northmen converted on a 4th and short and got into the end zone shortly after with a short run.
Platte County responded with a quick 2:11 scoring drive set up by a deep reception by Dawsen Mizell, who finished the night with a team-high four catches for 56 yards. Marriott ran in for an eight yard touchdown to make the score 28-14 with 6:07 left in the contest.
Platte County had some opportunities late to potentially tie or take the lead but wasn’t able to capitalize. McDowell forced a fumble and Cale Buntz recovered it at the Oak Park 18-yard line to give the offense favorable field position.
The Pirates turned the ball over on downs, forced a punt but the Northmen forced another interception which set up a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the final two minutes to come away with a 35-14 win. This is the third double digit loss to Oak Park since 2022 for Platte County who was defeated 47-25 in the regular season and 33-21 in the postseason.
Gisler led the Platte County offense with 67 rushing yards and a touchdown. This is the second straight loss for Platte County after a perfect 3-0 start as the Pirates will try to get another win in a favorable road matchup against Raytown (1-4) on Sept. 29.