The Platte County Pirates’ football team flipped a switch at halftime and blew past the Grain Valley Eagles 52-21 to spoil their home opener and senior night on Friday, Sept. 6.
The win snaps a three-game losing streak to the Eagles, including two losses last year and the season-ending loss in the playoffs to end 2023. Those two losses last year definitely were a motivating factor for the Pirates.
“This is where we ended our season last year so to come in on the road against a great team, a ranked team and come out and put up that performance we feel pretty good about it,” Pirates’ Head Coach Bill Utz told The Citizen after the game.
Ty Christopher found himself alone in the end zone after the Grain Valley defender fell down for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The game was tied at 14-14 at halftime thanks mostly to some miscues on offense by the Pirates which led to a safety in the first quarter and another in the second quarter when the ball was snapped over junior quarterback Rocco Marriott’s head in both instances. Neither ensuing possession resulted in points for the Eagles.
The Pirates also adverted disaster on their first scoring drive when Marriott was caught from behind on a big run into Eagles’ territory and fumbled the ball. Officials ruled the ball was recovered by the Pirates at the Eagles’ 28 yard line and a few plays later Marriott found junior tight end Jack Utz for a touchdown.
Grain Valley didn’t take long to answer needing only one play to score on an 80-yard touchdown run by Robert Palmer. Palmer had two 80-yard touchdown runs in the game and had a total of 245 yards on the ground for the Eagles.
The Eagles were able to gain some momentum heading into halftime after getting a defensive stop and going down the field in less than two minutes to kick a 25-yard field goal to tie the game. The Eagles just missed a touchdown when the pass sailed just over the hands of the Eagles receiver forcing Grain Valley to settle for three points.
The Pirates need just over three minutes of the second half to take the lead on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Marriott to junior wide receiver Ty Christopher. Marriott and Christopher connected on two scores in the second half.
After throwing for four touchdowns in Week 1 Marriott threw four touchdowns in the second half alone versus the Eagles. Marriott also had an 18-yard strike to junior Brayden Stevens and a 55-yard touchdown to junior Tres Baskerville where the wide receiver broke several tackles and would not be denied.
The Eagles were able to pull within two scores at the end of the third quarter on Palmer’s second 80-yard touchdown run but the Pirates stepped on the gas in the fourth quarter with three touchdowns which included a two-yard touchdown run by senior Adam Gisler. Gisler had 58 yards on 12 carries.
Utz said coming into the game they expected a tough contest like they got in the first half from the Eagles. Utz said a few adjustments were made on offense at halftime but it was more of picking up the tempo that led to success moving the ball down the field.
“We had to get through some stuff in the first half and fix some stuff and then we were able to kind of get some things going and do what we wanted to do,” Utz said. “Football is a game of adversity and teams that can handle that adversity and can get through that and continue to stay on the path are usually teams that can do some good things. That’s what we preached and I think they answered pretty well.”
Utz said coaches also identified some kids on Grain Valley who were playing both ways and believes playing those kids tough play after play may have had an effect.
“I don’t know if that happened or not be we were able to take advantage of it,” Utz said. “We just kind of played with a little bit more urgency and put pressure on them.”
Senior Dayton Doll led the Pirates on the ground with 59 yards on nine rushes. Marriott had 34 yards on 14 carries. Marriott also completed 17 of 23 passes for 234 yards and five scores. Baskerville led receivers with 79 yards on three catches followed by Christopher with 75 yards on four catches. Stevens had 37 yards on five receptions and Utz tallied 19 yards on two catches. Doll had two catches for 17 yards and Lane Webb had a reception for seven yards.
The road doesn’t get any easier this week with a trip to Fort Osage on Friday night. The Indians are 1-1 after an opening week home loss to Kearney and a road trip win at Belton on Friday night 21-0.