For the second straight year — and the seventh time this century — the Platte County Pirates are headed to the state title game after overpowering Kirkwood 64–35 in a semifinal victory on Nov. 28 in suburban St. Louis.
After the game got pushed forward 22 hours due to predicted weather in the area, senior running back Adam Gisler starred in a near-flawless offensive showing for Platte County against reigning Class 6 semifinalist Kirkwood.
The previous couple of games proved that Platte County can perform under pressure, defeating Rockhurst on a last-minute drive for the district title and coming up with several clutch plays late to defeat Grain Valley in the state quarterfinal. The district semifinal win against Kirkwood proved that they are still capable of handling quality opponents with ease.
As the defending Class 5 champions, Platte County wasted little time asserting itself against a Kirkwood team coached by former NFL Pro Bowl receiver Jeremy Maclin. Platte County scored on its opening drive and never trailed after the game’s opening minutes, piling up 568 yards of offense to secure a trip to St. Joseph.
Braiden Stevens tightropes the sideline for a touchdown against Kirkwood on Nov. 28. Photo Credit: Jack Dillingham
Senior quarterback Rocco Marriott guided the early surge on a 12-play drive, opening the scoring with a 25-yard touchown pass to senior receiver Braiden Stevens with 5:43 left in the first quarter. Stevens finished with seven receptions for 151 yards and three touchdowns.
Kirkwood briefly tied the game at 7–7 behind a quick, balanced drive capped by Cooper Owens’ 13-yard touchdown pass to Jamir Sloan, who was the Pioneers’ biggest threat throughout the afternoon. But Platte County responded instantly, regaining the lead on Stevens’ second touchdown, a 35-yard connection from Marriott, and never allowed the Pioneers to draw even again.
With Marriott attacking through the air, Platte County shifted into full control by unleashing its punishing run game. Gisler delivered a memorable performance, carrying the ball 23 times for 233 yards and five touchdowns, two coming in the second quarter.
Adam Gisler runs the ball in for a Platte County touchdown against Kirkwood. Photo Credit: Cash Francis
Gisler’s 3-yard score early in the second quarter put the Pirates ahead 21–7, and his 12-yard touchdown just later in the period restored the Pirates’ two-score advantage after Kirkwood’s answer. Gisler tallied a total of 11 runs for double-digit pickups.
Kirkwood tried to trade punches behind Owens, who threw for 322 yards and four touchdowns, but Platte County’s defensive front repeatedly stalled drives when it mattered. Kirkwood made it 21-13 when Owens connected with Jacob Eberhart.
Platte County struck again with Gisler rushing it in from 12 yards out. After Marriott tossed an interception, Kirkwood only dug itself into a deeper hole as the first-and-10 snap from the 15-yard line went through the back of the end zone for a safety, pushing the margin to 30–14 and giving the Pirates the ball back.
Following the kickoff, the Pirates were unable to score, but they did flip the field when Stevens pinned a punt inside the 1-yard line. On first-and-10 from the 1, Kirkwood once again handed the ball back to the Pirates after the visitors recovered a fumble just outside the end zone, from which Marriott punched it on the following play to send Platte County into the locker room with a commanding 36–14 lead.
Platte County extended its lead to 29 points when Gisler rushed in from 14 yards out to make it 43-14 on the opening drive of the second half. Kirkwood showed life early in the third quarter, striking twice through the air and cutting the deficit to 43–28 while briefly slowing Platte County’s offensive rhythm.
But even that surge wasn’t enough to break the Pirates as they got their offense clicking again in the fourth quarter. Marriott hit Stevens in the left corner for their third touchdown connection of the day, stretching the lead to 50–28. Kirkwood’s Sloan countered with a 40-yard score, but the Pirates’ ground game closed the door.
Gisler ripped off touchdown runs of 27 and 7 yards in the closing minutes sealed Platte County’s third-highest scoring output of the season before a late interception from Devin Lumm sent the Pirates back to the state championship game.
Platte County finished with 316 rushing yards and 252 passing yards while averaging more than eight yards per play. Marriott completed 12 of 21 passes for 252 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, adding a fourth touchdown on the ground. Stevens led all receivers, while seniors Tres Baskerville and Ty Christopher added chain-moving receptions in the first half.
Kirkwood’s offense battled throughout, with Sloan catching six passes for 134 yards and two scores and Eberhart adding another touchdown. The Pioneers were limited to just 68 rushing yards and were held into a one-dimensional attack that allowed the Pirates to pressure Owens and dictate the pace.
The victory sends Platte County back to the state championship game with a chance to win back-to-back titles for the first time in more than two decades. A year after hoisting the Class 5 trophy, the Pirates returned nearly all of their offensive production and have proven each week why they remain the No. 1-ranked team in Class 5.
With one more game left on the calendar, Platte County is again one win away from completing an undefeated season by adding another chapter to its growing legacy. For Platte County’s State Championship game preview, see this week’s print edition.