Platte County issues statement with dominating performance against ranked rival

SMITHVILLE, Mo. — Behind almost from the outset on the road against a potentially tricky rival, Platte County never blinked in producing a response.

Smithville’s opening salvo came on a broken coverage on the opening drive Friday night and ended up a distant memory. The Pirates didn’t let up on the way to surging back for a convincing and dominant 51-14 victory at Smithville High School.

Platte County junior quarterback Rocco Marriott threw for three touchdowns and added a juking, tackle-breaking 35-yard scramble for another score that capped run of 41 unanswered points for the Pirates, who also ran for 238 yards as a team with top running back duo of senior Dayton Doll and Adam Gisler fully healthy for the first time since Week 2. Smithville didn’t break 200 yards of total offense with 95 coming on two long touchdown play separated by more than 32 minutes of game time.

“This week, I definitely feel like we were clicking on all cylinders,” Platte County senior center Riley Hixson said. “We could’ve cleaned up a few things, but we got it rolling and ended up coming out with a big win.”

Platte County’s swarming defense limited Smithville (4-2), which entered ranked No. 3 in the Class 4 Missouri Media poll but dropped to No. 4 with the loss, to 45 yards rushing on 40 attempts, which included sacks for senior cornerback Montez Clemons (five tackles and a forced fumble) and sophomore defensive tackle Kyler Parker (two tackles plus one for loss). Warriors junior quarterback Peyton Steffen finished 8 of 14 for 137 yards and ran for -3 yards on 12 carries.

Smithville’s running backs didn’t fare better with junior Austin Clevenger (15 carries, 27 yards) and senior Lyndon Russell (11 carries, 23 yards) completely held in check.

Platte County senior linebackers Cobe Pollard (nine tackles, two for loss) and Brock Fowler (eight tackles, two for loss and a forced fumble) cleaned up behind the strong efforts up front from senior defensive linemen Archie Wesley (five tackles plus two for loss), Jordan Miller (three tackles plus one for loss) and Kameron Doyle (two tackles) plus junior defensive end Cale Buntz (two tackles for loss). The Pirates’ deep corps of safeties were just as impressive with seniors Darrell Smith (four tackles plus two for loss), Caden McGhee (seven tackles) and Trevor Hay (four tackles plus one for loss) also big contributors in the rush defense.

“We’re just going with it,” Doyle said. “We’re doing so good, just like last year. We’ve got an amazing defense. I don’t really care about stats or anything like that,” Doyle said. “I just care about playing the game and just bonding with teammates and coming out with the win.”

Platte County continues to rank No. 2 in the Class 5 Missouri Media poll behind undefeated Cardinal Ritter, a state champion in 2022 (Class 3) and 2023 (Class 5) collecting all nine first-place votes. The Pirates garnered every second-place spot on the ballots for a second week in a row.

The dominating effort in the cross-class ranked clash backed up the building expectations during a 6-0 start to the season.

Marriott made the most of 11 completions on just 16 attempts, piling up 280 yards and adding 53 on the ground with just four attempts. Gisler returned to Platte County’s lineup for the first time since injuring his shoulder in Week 3 against Fort Osage without a carry and put up a season-high 111 yards on eight carries, while Doll added 34 yards on six attempts.

The running backs combined for three touchdowns — all in the first half — while senior Isaiah Seymour added 32 more yards on just four carries after starting last week with both Doll (toe) and Gisler out. The varied production came with junior Michael Poncavage receiving his first career start at right guard with senior Gus Keeton out due to an ankle injury suffered a week earlier.

This marked the first change in a starting unit that has featured Keaton and fellow seniors Drew Doll (left guard), Riley Hixson (center) and Owen Rawlings (right tackle) plus junior Quinn Lightle in every other game. Gisler, Dayton Doll and Seymour averaged nearly 10 yards per carry.

“They’re really good running backs, and it’s just fun to block for them,” Drew Doll said.

Yet, Platte County trailed 7-0 just 3 1/2 minutes into the game after winning the coin toss for the sixth time this season and deferring to the second half.

Smithville took the ball and worked across midfield on what ended up the only sustained drive of the game for the Warriors. Facing a third-and-6, Steffen made a quick play-action fake and then lofted a high-arcing pass over the defense to junior tight end Tanner Billings running uncovered up the seam. This marked the fourth time in five weeks the Pirates trailed at some point and the third occurrence during that span where the opponent scored first.

Just as in convincing wins over Fort Osage and Washburn Rural, Platte County stormed right back.

Marriott started fast on ad-lib play, starting to scramble left on a first down drop back before finding junior tight end Jack Utz uncovered for a 30-yard catch-and-run. A 28-yard completion to senior wide receiver Lane Webb two plays later on another improvisational pass outside the pocket set up Dayton Doll’s easy waltz into the end zone from 15 yards out.

Platte County needed just four plays to 65 yards and tie the score at 7-7 and then didn’t trail again.

“We gave up the early score but answered with a quick score,” Bill Utz said. “I thought this gave the defense the confidence to relax and just play.”

Smithville had only three first downs the rest of the first half and one came on the last offensive play before halftime to avoid having to punt in the final minute.

Platte County led 28-7 at that point, and after a punt on their second drive, the Pirates scored on the next five possessions spanning into the second half. The onslaught started slowly after a fourth down gamble from Smithville resulted in a turnover on downs. Marriott orchestrated a 61-yard drive that included completions to junior wide receiver Braiden Stevens (17 and 14 yards), junior tight end Brooks Hall (three yards). Marriott ran for 8 yards to convert a critical third down, and Gisler scored his second touchdown of the season on the next play — a 5-yarder to stretch the lead to 14-7 with 8:30 left in the second quarter.

The momentum completely shifted on Smithville’s ensuing third down. Fowler came on a blitz around the right side of the offensive line and stripped Steffen as he set up to throw, and Doyle fell on the loose ball at the Warriors’ 13 for his first fumble recovery of the season and third of his career after scooping up loose balls as a junior against North Kansas City and Belton.

Dayton Doll carried on the next two plays and scored his second touchdown from 9 yards out.

“I seen Fowler come up and hit the QB and the ball just go in the air,” said Doyle, a third-year starter at defensive tackle next to Miller and the team’s unexpected leader in sacks last fall with four. “I just seen the ball on the ground and just dove; no one was next to it or anything, and I just dove on it.

“I always come up happy with a fumble recovery just because offense gets to come out this close to the end zone and score again.”

Suddenly up two scores, Platte County ended Smithville’s next drive with Clemons coming free on a corner blitz for a sack, and after the punt, Marriott found junior wide receiver Tres Baskerville behind the defense for a 63-yard touchdown on his only catch that ended with Warriors senior linebacker Jake Kruse dragged into the end zone over the final few yards.

Platte County led 28-7 with 1:59 left in the second quarter having scored three touchdowns in a span of four offensive snaps. That became four in a matter of seven plays overall early in the third quarter.

One play after Stevens dropped what looked like a sure touchdown while behind the Smithville defense, Platte County went right back to the speedster on a similar route on the next snap. He again went behind the defense and reeled in a 58-yard touchdown to put the Pirates up 34-7 after a missed extra point less than a minute into the second half, while silencing the home crowd that moments earlier tauntingly chanted his miscue.

“Braiden has the ability to play one play at a time,” Bill Utz said of Stevens, who finished with team-highs of four catches and 95 yards and scored his eighth touchdown of the season but reached the end zone for the first time since collecting at least one score in each of the first three games. “He had the drop, but I had the utmost confidence he would catch the second one. He is that kind of athlete.”

Smithville gained a pair of first downs on long runs while trying to answer back but eventually punted, and a 22-yard punt return from Baskerville negated the gains. Gisler gained 19 yards on the next two plays, and Marriott dropped back on a second-down play before weaving through his offensive line and deciding to run. He juked one defender twice and then plowed into the end zone, while Hixson and Hall, who had just the one catch in the first half, buried defenders through the side of the end zone after hustling downfield to escort the quarterback across the goal line.

“I saw Rocco running. I just wanted to get in on that and help make sure he got into the end zone,” Hixson said.

Due to the missed extra point, Smithville avoided the running clock after Marriott’s rushing score with 5:27 left in the third quarter. The teams then exchanged a series of three punts, but Baskerville muffed the third and gave the Warriors an extra possession just short of midfield.

Steffen helped Smithville cash in by drawing a roughing the passer penalty and then hitting junior wide receiver Drake Odneal for a 42-yard touchdown pass behind the defense on the first play of the fourth quarter. He finished with four receptions for 76 yards.

However, Marriott remained in the game and hit a wide-open Webb for a 42-yard touchdown — his first of the season. He finished with two catches for a season-high 70 yards, while Jack Utz finished with three receptions for 49 yards.

Marriott’s efficiency limited his completions to just five pass catchers but very clearly bounced back after throwing three interceptions in a 49-20 win over Washburn Rural and totaling just 93 yards through the air in last week’s blowout of Belton.

“Rocco had a great night,” Bill Utz said. “He is getting better each game. I feel like he’s gaining confidence and is much more comfortable. He is seeing things much better and starting to gain command of the position. I’m extremely pleased with the growth he’s shown.”

Platte County junior kicker Jackson Goodale nailed a 32-yard field goal with 2:44 left in regulation to finally put the running clock into effect. The Pirates were able to use some reserves late with junior Zach Burch receiving time at running back for a second straight week with two carries for 8 yards, while sophomore quarterback Brandon Reynolds finished with two attempts on the ground but zero yards.

In six games, Platte County has isn’t allowed more than 21 points yet.

Having lost senior Tyler Stambersky for the season to a foot injury, Platte County senior Bronson Ryan (four tackles) started at cornerback for a fourth straight week, while sophomore Jack Johnson (two tackles) continued to rotate in to the defensive backfield on certain sub packages. The Pirates also continued to rotate the defensive line a lot with sophomore Brody Hawk (three tackles) and juniors Cooper Hammontree and Cole Johnson (two tackles apiece) teaming with Parker to form effectively a full second unit.

Platte County juniors Mogie Walkingstick and KJ Stallings plus sophomore Jordan Moore also recorded a tackle each in reserve duty.

“I thought the players executed a great plan,” Bill Utz said. “I feel like we played a nice complementary game. I thought the kids played confidence, which allowed them to play fast and physical. All three phases played loose and aggressive, which led to a fun evening.”

Platte County continues to hold the top spot in the Class 5 District 8 standings by a comfortable margin in front of No. 3-ranked St. Pius X (5-1), which escaped an interstate matchup against St. James Academy (Kansas) with a 27-20 win this week. Neither of the top two teams should face much of a challenge for the remainder of the season with the Pirates needing to beat Truman (1-5), Ruskin (3-3) and Raytown (4-2) to earn the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.

However, Fort Osage (3-3) moved up to No. 3 after drubbing Ruskin on Friday with Central (St. Joseph) (3-3) dropping back a spot after a loss to Class 6 Oak Park. Winnetonka (3-3), William Chrisman (1-5) and Lincoln Prep (1-5) round out the seven-team standings.