The Park Hill football season came to a premature conclusion on Nov. 7 when No. 3-seeded Liberty North capitalized on No. 2-seeded Park Hill’s untimely second-half mistakes in the Class 6 District 8 semifinal.
Park Hill’s season drew to a close after suffering a 30-19 defeat against the Eagles at Park Hill District Stadium. Critical lapses in concentration and execution by the Trojans provided Liberty North opportunities to extend its slim 3-point lead in the second half, and the Eagles took full advantage when they went up by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter.
“The name of the game tonight was turnovers,” Park Hill head coach Andy Sims said. “It was just one too many for us to overcome. This time of the year, you have to play as much mistake-free football and we just didn’t tonight.”
Liberty North held a 16-13 lead to begin the second half, but neither team could get the ball past midfield on the first few possessions, despite a big return for the Eagles to start the third quarter.
Eventually, senior receiver Dante Dixon broke the Trojans loose with a 27-yard reception to move Park Hill into Eagle territory. The drive stalled just outside the red zone before a 33-yard field goal attempt — well within the range of junior kicker Devin Witzke — missed due to a high snap.
Park Hill senior wide receiver Dante Dixon during his 27-yard carry against Liberty North on Nov. 7.
Liberty North took over and got the ball moving for the first time of the half late in the third quarter, but they turned the ball over in Trojan territory when DJ Bronson recovered a fumble on the 29-yard line. Park Hill’s offense was unable to convert that turnover into points as they quickly returned the ball to the Eagles after a three-and-out.
After a 55-yard punt return put the Eagles back into Trojan territory, senior defensive end Ja’Mare Bell recovered a fumble for Park Hill after a Liberty North fumble on second down. With another chance to convert a turnover into points, the Trojans turned the ball over to themselves when Zane Thomas tossed an interception to Trashundon Neal before the Park Hill quarterback made the touchdown-saving tackle.
The tackle only delayed the score as the Eagles went up two scores on a 4-yard touchdown carry to the right from Zemar Cheatham, as Liberty North led 23-13 with 10:04 remaining in the contest.
Park Hill went searching for answers, but things only got worse on the following drive when Thomas’ pass was deflected into the air before being intercepted. Cheathem struck again with his legs, running 32 yards up the middle to make it 30-13 with 8:30 remaining.
Park Hill head coach Andy Sims delivers instructions to quarterback Zane Thomas against Liberty North.
Desperate for a response, Park Hill marched deep into Liberty North territory but was unable to convert on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line. As the clock ticked under six minutes, Park Hill used its last remaining timeouts as it became apparent that the end was near for the 29 seniors on the Trojans’ roster.
After getting a stop, the senior class left one final mark on the program in the final moments of the game. After moving the ball deep into Liberty North territory once again, Thomas found Dixon open on the left side to make it 30-19 inside the final minute.
Liberty North clinched its spot in the district championship after recovering the onside kick attempt and finishing in victory formation, signaling the end of a memorable era for Park Hill’s senior class.
“Unfortunately, only one team ever gets to be happy this time of the year,” Sims said. “It just wasn’t our night, but I told the guys not to let one night diminish what you’ve done over four years. This is probably one of the most special groups of seniors that I’ve ever coached.”
After four consecutive losing seasons, the seniors got Park Hill its first district title in seven years last season. This year presented some adversity for the Trojans with the absence of their head coach for most of the season, but they still finished above .500 for the second straight year as the seniors leave big shoes to fill going forward.
After finishing 6-4 this year, a talented group of Trojans will begin preparations for their post-high school plans. Some will take on collegiate playing opportunities, including quarterback Zane Thomas at Benedictine College in the NAIA and defensive lineman Jonah Were at Southern Illinois University Carbondale of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Sims was proud of his senior players, praising their work ethic and ability to adapt despite adversity on the football field and in their personal lives.
“They’ve put their stamp on the program and it goes way beyond the football field,” Sims said of his seniors. “How they act in the school, how they act with one another, they’ve got a very strong bond, and that’s fun to coach when you’re around great young men like this.”