The Platte County football team was outgained by 293 yards and committed four turnovers as the Pirates’ three game winning streak was snapped when Smithville defeated them 20-10 on Friday, Sept. 24.
The Warriors came into the contest with an undefeated record, and they made it difficult for the Pirates all night long. Smithville’s offense ended the night with 394 total yards on 62 plays opposed to Platte County gaining 101 total yards on only 42 snaps.
Platte County’s Jared Parsons struggled versus Smithville as the Pirate quarterback turned it over three times on Friday, Sept. 25.
After the Warriors took an early 3-0 lead, the Pirates’ first offensive play of the night didn’t go as planned when Jared Parsons’ first throw was intercepted. Platte County’s defense kept Smithville off the scoreboard and the Pirates eventually tied the Warriors with a 31-yard field goal by Cole Rhoden with 8:16 remaining in the first half.
Both teams threw an interception in the second quarter and Smithville found the end zone right before the break. With 12 seconds remaining in the first half, the Warriors rushed in for a 2-yard score to take a 10-3 lead at the break.
The Pirates punted and turned it over on downs on their first two possessions of the second half and the Warriors extended their lead with a 53-yard touchdown pass with 3:22 remaining in the third quarter. Trailing 17-3, Platte County relied on its defense to make a comeback attempt.
On Smithville’s next possession, the Pirates’ defense stepped up when Korey Woessner forced a fumble and Platte County scored a touchdown to narrow the deficit, 17-10. Cameron Wolfe picked up the fumble and ran it in for 86 yards with 11:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Smithville responded with a drive that lasted 7:22 and added three more points as the Warriors converted on a field goal with 3:40 remaining in the contest. Trailing 20-10, the Pirates’ offense went back onto the field, but was unable to answer the Warriors.
Parsons threw his third interception of the night, but the Pirates’ defense forced a Smithville punt and Platte County got the ball back for one last chance. Parsons connected with Rhoden for a 36-yard reception, but the junior fumbled the ball and Smithville recovered it with 23 seconds remaining.
Platte County falls to 3-2 on the season as the Pirates look to bounce back following their first home loss of the season. Platte County will be back on the road this week when it heads to Ruskin on Friday, Oct. 1.