The daunting schedule that Park Hill’s football team has faced added a fourth defeat through the first five games, falling 45-14 against Blue Springs South on Sept. 25.
The Trojans have faced a relentless schedule, and Week 5 brought another team vying for a state title to Preston Field. Ranked No. 10 in Class 6, Blue Springs South overcame an early deficit to ease its way past the Trojans.
Park Hill got off to a promising start, but slowly faded as the first half progressed. Blue Springs South ran away with its most decisive victory of the season.
Park Hill’s first score came on its opening drive, using just four plays to break the deadlock. Senior quarterback Riley Haney opened the defense up with a 31-yard run through the middle, and two plays later, Haney delivered a beautiful pass to junior Shefrin Smith, who was on the receiving end of a 46-yard touchdown reception.
The Trojans were clever with an onside kick attempt to the right side, and after traveling 10 yards with no Jaguars near the ball, two Park Hill players missed the ball before going out of bounds. Fortunate to have the ball, Blue Springs South drove downfield for their first points of the night with a 35-yard field goal to make it 7-3 midway through the first quarter.
Both sides traded quick possessions before Blue Springs South took its first lead of the night. A play after Park Hill thought they had recovered a fumble on a Jaguar punt return, they suddenly found themselves behind as Blue Springs South exploited the Trojans’ secondary on a 61-yard touchdown reception.
Park Hill caused its own problems again late in the first quarter when a double reverse pitch was fumbled and recovered by Blue Springs South at Park Hill’s 27-yard line. The Jaguars turned the turnover into points early in the second quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run through the middle, with the help of an extra 5-yard push, to take a 17-7 lead.
The Trojans’ frustrations continued as they were forced to burn their final timeout of the half with 10:25 remaining on a drive that ended without points. Blue Springs South eventually added to its lead, making it 21 unanswered points with a 4-yard touchdown run through the middle.
Park Hill finally answered just before halftime when Haney connected with sophomore receiver Trent Barry on a 14-yard touchdown reception. After catching a screen pass, Barry used the assistance of blocking from Andrew Minder while evading a pair of defenders to cross the goal line as Park Hill trailed 24-14 at halftime.
Trent Barry runs for the end zone in Park Hill’s 45-14 defeat to Blue Springs South on Sept. 25.
Neither team was able to capitalize on opening drives of the second half, but Blue Springs South made sure to keep momentum away from Park Hill. They chewed up a sizeable chunk of the clock before running it in to make it 31-14 in the third quarter.
Blue Springs South got the ball right back when a pooch quick was batted back towards the Jaguars, who recovered the ball at Park Hill’s 42-yard line. Park Hill’s defense nearly got a much-needed stop, but the Jaguars converted a third-and-10 play into a 10-yard touchdown reception to make it 38-14.
The visitors added another score in the fourth quarter on a 48-yard touchdown reception, narrowly escaping a quarterback sack before a missed tackle allowed the Jaguars another long score.
Park Hill’s defense eventually got its first turnover of the contest when senior Jeremiah Christmon recovered a fumble late in the game.
Riley Haney passed both of Park Hill’s touchdowns from a 46-yard pass and a 14-yard pass on Sept. 25.
Haney concluded the night 11-of-17 for 140 yards passing with two touchdowns, also leading the hosts with 88 rushing yards on 14 carries. Shefrin Smith led Park Hill receivers with 60 yards and a touchdown on two catches, followed by Barry’s 30 yards from three catches with a touchdown.
The Trojans dropped to 1-4 on the season, turning preparations to a conference road matchup with Liberty (1-4) on Oct. 2. Park Hill returns home on Oct. 9 for a meeting with St. Joseph Central (3-2).