No time like the present: Platte County’s youthful roster doesn’t want to wait for success

By many standards, Platte County experienced success last fall. The Pirates’ long-standing tradition requires different expectations.

Platte County enters 2023 with roster featuring just 11 seniors, but many of those in critical starting spots, including third-year starting offensive tackle Muyonta Maxwell, wide receiver Dawsen Mizell and first-year linebacker Seth Martin in critical and visible spots. However, the Pirates must heavily rely on the potential and obvious talent in the junior and sophomore classes.

Exactly when and if the group fully realizes the promise determines any improvement this season from last year’s 5-6 record.

“Our senior class is really talented, but I feel like the thing that makes our team special this year is areas where the senior class may not be there because we don’t have enough numbers all the young guys step up,” Platte County senior offensive/defensive lineman Gage Fulk said.

No one wants a two-year bridge to success, and Platte County veteran coach Bill Utz received at least cameo looks at a large group of sophomores and even some freshmen a year ago. Last year, the Pirates failed to reach a district title game for the first time since 2014 and posted the first losing record since 2013 after a Class 5 District 8 semifinal loss to Oak Park in a frigidly cold downpour.

However, the five teams Platte County lost to this season — Smithville, Kearney, Grain Valley, Oak Park and Park Hill South — reached at least a district championship game. Additionally, Raytown, which the Pirates beat 31-26 in Week 6 to start a 4-1 stretch that allowed them to reach .500, played Grain Valley in the Class 5 District 7 final.

Platte County lost their first two games this season two of the top teams in Class 4, first in overtime to Kearney and then by just three to Smithville. That gave way to a 1-4 start that included injuries to critical players that forced the Pirates to explore youthful options not only due to the need but also with an eye toward the future.

“I’m always big on looking forward instead of backward, but I don’t think you get better if you don’t at least evaluate what you’ve been through,” Utz said. “If you look at last season, there’s a lot of people across the state that would take last season and be happy with it. We’re obviously not one of those teams, and it didn’t meet a standard.

“As coaches, we build on that history we do have and the culture we try to instill and reevaluate some aspects, identify issues, stare them straight in the face and adapt or fix it. We’re refocused on where we need to be.”

After losing 19 seniors, Utz knows knows that immediate success for Platte County revolves around continued offensive contributions from junior running back/wide receiver Dayton Doll plus sophomore starting quarterback Rocco Marriott and a big bunch of his classmates ready to step into prominent roles. The Pirates also look ready to deploy even more formations involving tight ends that could increase opportunities to run the ball in creative ways compared to previous seasons.

On defense, Platte County looks to deploy speedy, versatile players in an effort to create chaos in formations that will include more three- and four-linebacker looks. That means Martin and the junior linebacking duo of Cobe Pollard and Darrell Smith could be the key to ensuring a unit with an undersized defensive line and a multi-pronged secondary can’t be exploited.

In many ways, the roster construction looks a lot like 2014 when Platte County turned to a core of sophomores who were good the first year and built the runway for one of the best long-term runs of success in the storied program’s history. The Pirates’ biggest concern this year could be having the inexperienced players in important roles handling the internalized expectations to thrive right away.

“It’s a real fine line and a delicate scenario,” Utz said. “This is somewhat reminiscent (of 2014) in terms of number of seniors that we have vs. number of sophomores we’re putting out there with juniors mixed in. I’m a big believer, been this way from the very first time I coached, I don’t care what grade you’re in. I just want the guys who are going to contribute, do the things we ask them to do and live up to those expectations. We try not to look at grades, but it is what it is. We want our kids to be confident and play confident, and that doesn’t happen unless you get a little of experience under your belt.

“Those guys that don’t have all the experience need to learn on the fly and be in a scenario where as they are getting better and gaining knowledge that confidence sets in. That’s the plan.”

Platte County won 53 games in a five-year span from 2017-21 that included runs to the 2019 Class 4 Show-Me Bowl and 2020 Class 5 Show-Me Bowl — both resulting in state runnerup finishes. Last year’s senior group started mostly as perimetric contributors to the deep playoff runs for the Pirates, and an all new era appears set to begin with hopes of not only replicating but hopefully bettering those results.

“We don’t talk about (last season) much,” Fulk said. “People don’t want to repeat that.”

Below is a position-by-position breakdown of Platte County’s 2023 team.

Quarterback

This marks the third straight year Platte County goes with a first-year starter at quarterback, but sophomore Rocco Marriott (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) should hold the job for a long time. However, he first must take over for Dylan Zimmerman, who turned in one of the best statistical single seasons in program history. His 2,648 yards ranked No. 6 and his 26 touchdowns No. 7 with the Pirates’ struggles in the run game forcing a lot of the offensive responsibility onto his arm.

However, Marriott started to see some snaps as a changeup option and showing off his dual-threat credentials. He ran for 161 yards (third on the team) and four scores and added an 11-for-22 line passing with a touchdown and an interception.

Marriott’s first action came in a regular season loss to Oak Park when he rushed for two scores, and two weeks later, he threw his only touchdown pass of the season late in a blowout of Belton.

“Any time that we can lessen the learning curve, that’s our job to be able to kind of predict future,” Utz said. “We wanted to make sure that we made that transition as easy as possible for him.”

With ideal size and the pedigree of a father taken by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, Marriott has already received interest from Division I programs before his first career Platte County start. He brings the ability to throw in and out of the pocket, while the Pirates can call more designed runs and have a scrambling threat more reminiscent of 2018 starter Spencer Stewart and three-year standout Justin Mitchell (2014-2016).

“I can’t even go down the list and not feel blessed about the kids we’ve had at quarterback,” Utz said. “Rocco brings a unique skill set in that he isn’t a stereotypical dual-threat quarterback that fits a mold, but he’s a true dual threat because of his ability to run the ball with a great arm on top of it. He brings some abilities wrapped into one player we haven’t had for a while.”

With Marriott the unquestioned starter, Platte County junior Brady Davis moves into the reserve role. He tossed a pair of touchdowns in last week’s preseason jamboree scrimmages but has not taken a snap at the varsity level to this point.

Running Back

Platte County junior Dayton Doll started last fall profiling as threat in the backfield and out wide. That held true for about two weeks when a key injury at wide receiver changed the outlook and turned Doll into a top pass catching threat.

Doll reeled in a team-high 41 passes for 405 yards and two scores, but he re-emerged as the starting running back late in the year after another injury to now-graduated senior Nate Walls, who led Platte County with a team-high 375 yards but averaged only 3.0 yards per carry while battling a nagging shoulder injury all year and operating behind an inconsistent offensive line.

Walls ran for 770 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior after transferring from Park Hill.

Doll now appears to be in line for the bulk of carries after totaling 164 yards and three touchdowns. Marriott actually led Platte County in rushing scores, and the Pirates will want more diversity in the backfield this year. Adam Gisler, a sophomore, did not have a rushing attempt as a freshman but did get on the field in multiple games.

“(Doll) is a great runner, and I think he’s naturally a better running back — and he’s a great receiver,” Utz said. “So what that turns him into is a really good running back who has great hands so there’s a lot of stuff you can do with him; there’s a lot of things that we can design around him and create some mismatches.”

If an inexperienced receiving corps struggles, Doll could be an option to shift back outside and cede carries to Gisler. Behind the top two, Platte County has junior Isaiah Seymour, who carried once for no gain in 2022. The Pirates also lost senior-to-be Grant Archibald (22 carries, 49 yards and a touchdown) after he opted not to return to the lineup.

Wide Receiver

Platte County ended up using eight different wide receivers in starting roles last year due to injuries and ultimately ended up a deep and diverse group for Zimmerman to target.

However, with Doll plugged in at running back, only senior Dawsen Mizell returns this season after totaling 40 catches for team-highs of 540 yards and seven touchdowns. The Pirates went into the season expecting a breakout from him but an early-season knee injury limited playing time and delayed his productivity. In addition, Carter Salzman, a third-year starter, missed almost the entirety of his final season due to a broken collarbone suffered late in Week 2. He returned for limited duty in the season finale and finishing with just 13 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown, which came in the Week 1 loss to Kearney.

With Salzman out, Platte County increasingly turned to Tristan Magnuson (13 catches, 133 yards, two TDs), Dom Spears (29 catches, 512 yards, four TDs) and Brennan Rich (10 catches, 158 yards, one TD) to fill gaps. However, the most noticeable addition ended up being Division I defensive end recruit Chandavian Bradley, now at Tennessee. He put up a ridiculous line of 12 catches for 401 yards (33.4 per reception) and seven touchdowns.

Platte County must again turn to a mostly unproven group that will include sophomores Tres Baskerville, Braiden Stevens and Brennan McLaughlin plus junior Lane Webb. Baskerville (seven catches, 76 yards as a freshman) and Webb (one catch, 12 yards as a sophomore) also missed time due to injury last season but have the most experience, while Stevens turned heads in the preseason jamboree with a deep touchdown.

McLaughlin represents the wild card. After emerging as the starting shortstop for the baseball team late last spring, he now brings proven athleticism and intriguing skill set that could see him used on both offense and defense.

“Again, a lot of youth there so their growing curve has to be short,” Utz said. “They have to understand the whole idea of running routes hard, getting to their spots and knowing where they need to be. I’m never going to ask a kid to be perfect, but the effort is something we put a lot of emphasis on.”

Platte County also has sophomores Kylar Howren and Grant Fadler as additional options down the depth chart. Both caught passes with the second team in the jamboree scrimmage plays, including a negated touchdown for Howren and one that counted for Fadler.

Tight End

The long-rumored move to more one- and two-tight end sets appears to finally be reality.

In addition to a slimmer wide receiver core, Platte County sees a lot of versatility in the sophomore duo of Jack Utz and Brooks Hall, who both saw time last year in limited situations. Utz caught eight passes for 106 yards and the first touchdown completion of Marriott’s career, while Hall added three catches for 58 yards plus a two-point conversion in the loss to Park Hill South.

Not only can Platte County go tight with extra blockers, both Utz and Hall can split out wide.

“Our tight ends are big kids but also run very, very well and almost can play like a receiver at times but then turn around and block, as well,” Bill Utz said.

Offensive Line

Recent years have seen Platte County’s offensive line struggle with consistency in both the lineups and performance. The Pirates managed only 848 yards rushing (3.1 yards per carry) while rotating through eight different players and starting seven of them — often in different combinations.

“The continuity is extremely important, and the revolving door we’ve had there the last couple of years has been a challenge,” Bill Utz said. “It’s a unit where you’d like to see the continuity or a scenario where at least the subs are the same. Unfortunately, that’s unpredictable so you’ve got to have a ton of guys that can come in and do multiple jobs, and we have that.”

A preseason knee injury to sophomore right tackle Quinn Lightle, who started the majority of 2022 as a freshman, makes putting an end to that trend unlikely. He will likely miss at least one game, and Platte County must also replace Zach Burch (left guard), Sage Lutz (tackle/center), Braden Parker (center/guard) and Brody Gates (guard/tackle) — all of whom started multiple games last season. Gates also missed time with injury, opening up additional playing time for seniors Becker Grego and Gage Fulk plus junior Drew Doll.

With Lightle out, Platte County’s preseason lineup saw Fulk at right tackle, junior Riley Hixson at right guard, Grego at center, Drew Doll at left guard and third-year starter Muyonta Maxwell at left tackle. Maxwell provides the imposing anchor in his second season protecting the quarterback’s blindside.

“(Maxwell) has had a great camp, and I think it goes to that confidence” Bill Utz said. “He’s doing a great job as a leader, doing what we need him to do, and he’s looking like the kid we all know he can be.”

In wake of the injury to Lightle, Fulk continued his movement by shifting back to offense after opening in the defensive line rotation. He played both last year, as well, before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in the first loss to Oak Park.

Grego and Doll also received important experience and look to take a step forward, while Hixson and fellow juniors Gus Keeton and Anthony Jaquez will also be in the mix as Platte County looks to find the right combination until Lightle can return.

Defensive Line

Platte County knows the challenge on the defensive line after losing all-state performer Chandavian Bradley (35 tackles, 2 for loss, two forced fumbles and two sacks), who became the highest-profile recruit in program history over his three seasons — the final two as a starter. However, his role decreased at times due to the Pirates’ struggles against the run and a need to deploy him on offense.

The deep group around him included graduated defensive tackle Mar’Ques Brown (20 tackles) and defensive end Blake Rueckert (32 tackles, 2 1/2 for loss and one forced fumble). In addition, senior Kohry Woessner opted not to return after recording 34 tackles and three sacks — tied for the team lead.

Platte County does feature returners but junior Kameron Doyle leads the way after earning a starting spot as a sophomore. He finished with 16 tackles (three for loss) and will take on a bigger role as the Pirates use more true three-man fronts that will also include seniors Tucker McDowell, Markus Delfin and Kevin Taylor; junior Jordan Miller and sophomores Michael Poncavage and Cooper Hammontree.

Fulk recorded three tackles last season on defense and could factor in at some point depending on the offensive line setup.

McDowell struggled with injury as a junior and ended with only seven tackles (three for loss) after having five tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery as a sophomore. Delfin initially didn’t go out for football as a junior but returned midseason and had one tackle while mostly playing junior varsity, while Miller was a rotational option at defensive tackle with six tackles (one for loss). Taylor had five tackles (two for loss), making the most of limited playing time.

Platte County also looks to utilize junior Archie Wesley as a defensive end and edge rusher after he mostly played linebacker as a sophomore, recording 15 tackles (one for loss) and a fumble recovery while missing significant time due to injury.

“There is a production gap,” Bill Utz said. “But the fun thing is with like a Tucker is he has no idle. He doesn’t have a low motor at all. He plays extremely fast and physical. Kam is the same way, just a big strong kid who does his job. You have Markus Delfin coming in with a great first step who can cause problems with penetration and then mix it up with Archie. We’ll rotate guys in, try to keep them fresh and create as much havoc as we can.”

Linebacker

The most outwardly promising group could be the linebackers with the return of proven junior playmakers Darrell Smith and Cobe Pollard after their breakout sophomore seasons. Smith opened the season as a starter and did not disappoint with 71 tackles (six for loss) and one sack despite missing two games due to a concussion.

Wesley and graduated senior Cameron Dean (51 tackles, two for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery) received the first looks next to Smith. Wesley ended up missing Week 2 at Smithville due to injury, and Pollard received his first chance and never let go of a starting spot, even in mostly two-linebacker alignments. He ended up totaling 66 tackles (6 1/2 for loss), three sacks, one fumble forced, one fumble recovered plus a blocked punt for a touchdown against Belton.

“They’re great kids,” Bill Utz said. “Those guys both play extremely fast. They play ball, and they are going to be around the ball all the time. They’ve both kind of had the freedom to run around last year, and now in different roles, they have to play under control and read their keys. They’re getting there and figuring that out, and once they figure that out, they’ll play as fast as they always have and make plays.”

However, Platte County plans to have senior Seth Martin as a third linebacker, while Wesley or even junior Trevor Hay can essentially provide a fourth in certain looks. Martin transferred from Northland Christian where he played quarterback and some safety but has bulked up and looks ready to be a prominent piece.

Hay (six tackles as a sophomore) likely plays in the run-support safety role traditional to recent Platte County lineups but provides an additional option with the ability to tackle, blitz and cover. If forced to move players up to the line or back to the secondary more, the Pirates also have sophomore KJ Stallings as an option.

“We’re going to have to make plays, create some turnovers,” Bill Utz said. “Depth is a concern. We can manipulate some things and make the looks different, but depth is a concern. We’re going to have to fly around and get everybody involved.”

Defensive Back

Platte County somehow loses prominent starters Cameron Wolfe, Garrett Smith-Dean and Andy McClure to graduation, yet returns five players with starting or significant experience while adding a sophomores to the mix and a senior transfer to the mix. That group does include Hay, who could be considered more of a linebacker as the season evolves.

Wolfe was a big contributor for three years and two-year starter but ended up with a nagging hamstring injury as a senior, finishing with just 31 tackles (5 1/2 for loss) and three interceptions. He most recently filled the “jack” role that served as a linebacker/safety hybrid in what had been mostly a 4-2-5 setup.

McClure played the strong safety and totatled a team-high 93 tackles (team-high seven for loss), three forced fumbles and one recovered as a breakout first-year starter.

Smith-Dean leaves the longest legacy as a three-year starting cornerback and two-time all-state performer. His 14 career interceptions ranked tied for second all-time in program history with Kevin Neal (2014-16) and behind only the 18 of Ryan Weedin (2001-03).

At cornerback, Platte County looks to open with senior Jordan Burnett (15 tackles, three for loss and two interceptions) and junior Taylor Stambersky (15 tackles). Burnett became a part-time starter opposite Smith-Dean last year, while Stambersky initially opened as the starting free safety but ultimately rotated in as a reserve. McLaughlin could also be deployed in certain situations as a cover corner or even utilized more if not needed as much on offense.

“(Burnett) does a great job,” Bill Utz said. “He was our third corner last year so he got on the field a lot but wasn’t necessarily in that role of No. 1, and he has a chance to fill that spot. Then you have Stambersky, who is just Mr. Consistency. You know what you’re going to get — full effort no matter what.”

Platte County’s safeties include sophomore Ty Christopher, a converted wide receiver, and juniors Caden McGhee and Montez Clemons. A starting corner for much of his sophomore season who settled in at free safety, McGhee recorded 29 tackles (one for loss) and came up with an interception in the Class 5 District 8 semifinal loss to Oak Park. Clemons became a rotational piece with 27 tackles (one for loss).

“Caden’s kind of found a home at safety,” Bill Utz said. “His confidence level is high, and we’re going to see him make some plays, and Ty is the wild card back there. I think that’s a fun group to watch.”

Platte County also brings in Ayden Watts, a transfer from out of state now part of the 11-player senior class, while fellow senior Quincy Moreau has seen limited action as a reserve last year.

Kicker

Platte County went into last season with high expectations for Aaron Cordova, and he mostly delivered. A soccer player first, he missed time with two injuries in addition to a recruiting visit but finished with an impressive 18 touchbacks while going 4-for-9 on field goals and 22-for-24 on extra points. However, Fulk and then senior baseball-turned-soccer-turned-football player Jordan Hedrick took on duties for the postseason after Cordova suffered a dislocated elbow in the soccer team’s Class 3 District 8 semifinal loss to Pembroke Hill.

Hedrick went 7-for-10 on extra points — two of the misses in extremely adverse weather conditions against Oak Park in the district semifinals — and didn’t attempt a field goal in two games, while putting five of his 13 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

Bill Utz doesn’t plan to utilize Fulk in the role this year coming off of a knee injury, so he went back to the soccer team and pulled sophomore Jackson Goodale, a starting defender as a freshman and then a breakout sprinting star during the spring track and field season. He has yet to kick in a true game situation with no special teams plays included in the preseason jamboree.

Punter

Zimmerman handled punting duties the last two years, averaging just under 30 yards a kick as a sophomore but increasing that to 33.2 on 39 kicks as a junior. He dropped 13 of those inside the 20-yard line.

Bill Utz said junior linebacker Cobe Pollard and sophomore quarterback Rocco Marriott are the two options at this point. Neither has punted in a game.

Long Snapper

Platte County returns junior Brody Harmon to the role of long snapper on field goals and extra points, while sophomore Grant Fadler opens as the long snapper for the punting unit.

Holder

Recent seasons have seen quarterbacks Jared Parsons and Dylan Zimmerman serve as the holder for field goals and extra points, but that trend could change. Bill Utz said both Brennan McLaughlin and Taylor Stambersky have a shot to take or split the role.

Returners

Platte County’s main returner last season should have been Salzman, but that changed with his injury. Garrett Smith-Dean, Nate Walls, Dayton Doll and even Chandavian Bradley all took turns with varied levels of success. The Pirates did not have a return touchdown, although Smith-Dean came up with a big one inside the red zone in one of two back-to-back wins over William Chrisman.

This season, Brennan McLaughlin looks like the top option as a potentially dangerous punt returner, while Dayton Doll, Darrell Smith and Caden McGhee have the first line on kickoffs. Doll returned four kicks for 75 yards as a sophomore. Smith played a lot of running back in middle school but has been focused on defense in high school.