In perhaps the most challenging matchup all season long for Platte County, the Pirates still managed another blowout victory in a 42-0 Class 5 District 8 semifinal triumph against No. 4-seeded St. Pius X.
Platte County was held to just 14 points in the first half for the first time all season, but created some extra breathing room with a 28-point second half to roll back into the district championship game.
The St. Pius X defense forced a turnover from a fumble and sacked Platte County quarterback Rocco Marriott three times as the senior standout went 15 of 25 for 288 yards and three touchdowns passing. Despite the challenge, Platte County used an explosive play in each half to catapult the Pirates past the Warriors.
The Pirates’ defense got a stop on the Warriors’ opening drive when Mogie Walkingstick broke up a pass on third-and-2. Platte County struck first on a drive that was far from beautiful — with three penalties — but a fourth-and-1 carry from Adam Gisler turned into a 17-yard pickup before Marriott drove through contact on a 13-yard rushing touchdown.
After a Pius three-and-out, the Pirates faced their first offensive challenges as their drive stalled out for Braiden Stevens to execute Platte County’s first punt of the season. That theme continued as St. Pius X forced Stevens to punt twice more in the second quarter.
The Warriors felt good in the second quarter with a one-score game until Marriott turned on the jets for a 62-yard rushing touchdown, making it 14-0. The St. Pius X offense pieced together a promising possession in response, driving into the red zone before the 10-play drive ended with the Platte County defense forcing a turnover on downs from fourth-and-1 on the 6-yard line.
The Pirates were hoping to make it a three-score game before halftime, but were forced to punt from their own territory, from which a penalty gave St. Pius X a shot at a lengthy field goal try as time expired. The 55-yard field goal attempt from senior Frankie Kapetanovich fell just short as Platte County led 14-0 at halftime.
Platte County came out of halftime with a lengthy 12-play drive, but it ended when a fumble from Gisler was recovered by junior linebacker Charlie Prenger for the Warriors. After facing second-and-10, Pius gave the ball right back when Cale Buntz rushed in from the edge to hit the quarterback as he released the ball, hanging the ball in the air for junior linebacker Hank Fowler to bring down the interception.
The Pirates capitalized on the turnover four plays later when Marriott tossed his 40th touchdown of the season, finding Stevens wide open over the middle for an 11-yard touchdown reception to put the hosts ahead 21-0. Pius had another promising drive into Platte County’s red zone, but again, it stalled out with an incompletion on fourth-and-goal from the 7-yard line.
Platte County wide receiver Tres Baskerville escapes a tackle as he races downfield against St. Pius X.
The Pirates took over, but a fumbled snap pinned Marriott deep inside the end zone when he recovered the fumble and magnificently drove past defenders and managed to escape a safety as he got back to the 1-yard line. On third-and-15, Marriott found Tres Baskerville for the first down, but the senior receiver escaped a pair of tackles before racing an additional 80 yards to complete the 98-yard touchdown reception.
Despite converting a fake punt on fourth-and-7, Pius eventually turned the ball over on downs in Platte County territory. The Pirates cashed in with Marriott’s 42nd touchdown of the season as he dodged some pressure before finding Stevens in the end zone on a 33-yard touchdown reception to make it 35-0.
The Platte County defense had one final impression to make on the contest when junior linebacker Carlos Baskerville read the quarterback’s pass to the right for an interception he returned for a touchdown, putting the Pirates ahead 42-0 inside the final four minutes.
Platte County’s defense makes a big stop against St. Pius X on Nov. 7 in their district semifinal.
Platte County held the Warriors to 2 for 18 on third downs and their running game to just 50 yards on 21 carries. The Pirates held St. Pius X sophomore quarterback Cannon Cruse to 50% passing for 170 yards on 16 completions and two interceptions.
The Pirates faced some headaches, not just from the opponent, but also from the 86 yards they gave up from 11 penalties. Regardless, Marriott used his legs for 130 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 14 rushes while Tres Baskerville caught 146 yards from four receptions with a touchdown.
Platte County, 10-0 this year as the top-ranked team in Class 5, will look for its 25th consecutive victory next week with a win against No. 2-seeded Rockhurst, who is 9-2 on the season. The former Class 6 juggernaut aims to continue its hope of ending its 15-year state championship drought.
The Class 5 District 8 championship game — perhaps the most highly anticipated game in the state — is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday, Nov. 14 at Pirate Stadium.