Platte County High School was much more vibrant than it had ever been on a surprisingly pleasant December morning last week.
There was more than just students, teachers, staff and administrators on campus on Tuesday, Dec. 9. There were parents and families, joined by elite athletes of past and present, capped off by the appearance of Super Bowl IV winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Bell.
Rather than filling classrooms, students fled to the gymnasium alongside the additional guests for a celebration the district had never held before: the 43rd annual Thomas A. Simone Awards. The Simone Awards honor the best high school football players from the Kansas City metropolitan area each year.
Everyone was accounted for except for Platte County’s star quarterback, Rocco Marriott, who was later named the first Thomas A. Simone Award winner in school history. The Pirates’ iconic No. 9 finally made his grand entrance 75 minutes into the ceremony, using his freshly sprained knee ligaments to make one final stroll in front of cheering teammates, classmates and competitors to accept the trophy, which honors the single best high school football player in the area.
Rocco Marriott’s outstanding career concluded with two state titles and the Simone Award — the area’s most prestigious individual award in high school football.
“It’s obviously a prestigious award,” Marriott said. “Being named the best player in Kansas City is a big label. I couldn’t do it without any of my teammates, coaches and everybody who has helped me along the way.”
In 2024, as a junior, Marriott had his first 3,000-yard passing season with 39 passing touchdowns and another 627 yards and 19 touchdowns rushing. His junior year effort was only enough to become a finalist for the Simone Award as he helped the Pirates to an undefeated season with a state championship.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback only increased his production after playing center field for the Pirates’ state champion baseball team last spring. Upon returning to the gridiron in the fall for his senior year, he produced more than 3,700 passing yards and 54 touchdowns while rushing for over 800 yards and 13 scores.
“The teams we’ve had these past two years are super special,” said Marriott, the first Simone Award winner from Missouri Class 5 since 2016. “I’d like to say the best in Platte County history, so I’m super grateful for it all.”
Rocco Marriott will continue his collegiate career at UCF, playing under Scott Frost, who won two national title at Nebraska as a player.
Marriott will conclude his time at Platte County this semester before moving to Orlando next month, when he will become roommates with longtime teammate and fellow University of Central Florida football signee Brooks Hall. Marriott and Hall conclude their time as Pirates with three total state titles — two for football and one for baseball.
“I’ve known these guys my whole entire life, so it’s a huge deal to go out on top winning state,” Marriott said. “The awards that come with it are also pretty cool.”
Platte County’s other major honoree was senior Braiden Stevens, who was named the Pirates’ first-ever winner of the Otis Taylor Award for the area’s most outstanding wide receiver or tight end.
“It was kind of a full circle moment,” Stevens said about winning the award in front of so many people he knew. “It was really cool — a dream come true — every kid dreams of something like this, so I was very happy and very excited.”
Braiden Stevens became the first player in Platte County history to win the Otis Taylor Award for best receiver in the area.
Stevens’ record-breaking season consisted of catching 1,200 yards with 19 touchdowns and 64 receptions while also serving as punt returner and punter. In addition to the award, Stevens has earned the Pirates’ athletic department a $1,500 donation from the Simone-Fontana Foundation.
“I couldn’t do it without my teammates and coaches,” Stevens said. “I’m just very thankful for this opportunity to go out and play. I want to thank God for everything — I couldn’t do it without him. I’m just very blessed and thankful to play for this Platte County organization.”
Park Hill was also represented at the Simone Awards by Dante Dixon, who was named the inaugural winner of the Maloney Award, which honors the best defensive back in the area.
Park Hill’s Dante Dixon was named the best defensive back in the area, earning All-Simone and the first-ever Maloney Award.
“I didn’t think it could get cooler,” Dixon said. “I’ve got the all-state, I’ve got the all-district, so actually being nominated for something with the best of the best is a whole different feeling.”
The Trojans’ star cornerback produced three interceptions in his senior year, including a pick-six. Dixon was also among the best receivers on offense, tallying 91 catches for more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 10 games.
“It means a lot knowing all my hard work’s paid off and people are seeing it,” Dixon said. “And making history since I’m the first one to ever win this award, so it means a lot for sure.”
Dixon, who is also on Park Hill’s basketball team, plans to play football at the collegiate level after recently committing to play at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. Just as Dixon did with the Trojans, he believes he can play both ways (receiver and defensive back) at the NCAA Division II level.
The trio of Dixon (defensive back), Stevens (wide receiver) and Marriott (quarterback) was also named to the 2025 All-Simone Team, where Platte County senior Jack Utz also earned a spot as the area’s top tight end.