For the first time in more than a decade, the West Platte football team shut out a postseason opponent when the Blue Jays defeated Wellington-Napoleon 39-0 on Oct. 29.
The Blue Jays ended the regular season with a loss, clinching the No. 4 seed in the Class 1 District 8 Tournament. West Platte responded from its first loss in four weeks with a dominant playoff win.
The Blue Jays’ offense and defense were ready for the district contest as the first score of the game was a safety by the Tiger offense. Lamar Henderson tackled Wellington-Napoleon’s running back in the end zone and West Platte took a 2-0 lead.
The Blue Jays’ offense responded with three consecutive rushing touchdowns by Cameron Williams. The West Platte senior caused havoc for the Tiger defense as the Blue Jay rushed for 248 yards on the ground and four scores.
West Platte senior running back Cameron Williams rushed for 248 yards and four scores against Wellington-Napoleon on Oct. 29.
Williams scored a touchdown in each of the four quarters, starting with a two-yard rushing touchdown and 20-yard score in the first half to take a lead at the break. The West Platte senior didn’t hold back in the final 24:00 of action as Williams ran into the end zone from 33 yards out to give the Blue Jays a 22-point lead with 4:58 remaining in the third quarter.
The Blue Jays’ foreign exchange kicker Rodrigo Arrigunaga knocked down a 27-yard field goal toward the end of the third quarter. Williams ended his impressive four-touchdown game with one last score to open the final quarter when the senior ran in from 66 yards.
Zayne Truxal gave the Blue Jays their last score of the opening district contest with six-yard touchdown with 8:49 remaining. West Platte obliterated the Tiger defense with 387 yards on the ground and 445 total yards of offense, while converting on all five fourth down conversions.
The Blue Jay defense held Wellington-Napoleon to 4.2 yards per play and West Platte forced four turnovers. Xavier Reynolds and Mason Montez both picked off the Tigers’ quarterback, while Lane Scott had the only West Platte sack.
West Platte (8-2) has moved on to the second round of districts as it will hit the road to take on University Academy Charter (7-3) on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 12 p.m. If the Blue Jays win, they will advance to their first district championship since 2015.