|
Northeast
just an organized practice for Pirates
by
Tad Brewer
Landmark reporter
Going into their matchup against Northeast,
the Platte County Pirates did not figure that they would
have to struggle for a win. Platte County saw this game
as a way to refine their skills and to get prepared for
some of their up- coming events, and won it easily, 67-0.
Senior quarterback Robbie Campbell had been injured the
week before during the Platte County victory at Harrisonville.
Entering the contest against Northeast, it was unclear
whether or not Campbell would suit up, or how serious
his injuries were. Campbell did decide to lead his team
against Northeast.
Platte County would start the game off with a long opening
kickoff by junior Nick Jaros, letting Northeast start
the game deep in their own territory. The Vikings found
themselves three and out on their opening series.
Northeast narrowly got their punt off, which was picked
up by sophomore Ryan Weedin and returned down to the Viking
five yard line.
The long return for Platte County would set up an eventual
one yard touchdown run by junior fullback Matt Prout.
The extra point was true by Jaros.
On the kickoff after the touchdown, the Pirates would
catch the Vikings off guard with an onside kick that was
recovered by Junior Aaron Bernard.
Platte County passed the ball down the field past the
Northeast defense. The Vikings made a stand once the Pirates
had gotten inside of the ten yard line. But on fourth
and goal, Campbell connected to senior wide receiver Chase
Verdoorn for a seven yard touchdown pass. Jaros’
extra point attempt was good.
Jaros squib kicked the ball down to Northeast.
Platte County made another strong defensive hold on the
Vikings forcing them to go three and out again and need
to punt. The Pirates intentionally let the punt get off
and did not return it to set up a longer playing field
for themselves.
The Pirates moved the ball down the field with a couple
of big passes and running plays. Eventually, Prout rushed
the ball ten yards into the end zone for his second touchdown
of the night, making the score 21-0 after the extra point
is added on.
The Platte County defense held Northeast to nothing for
yet another series. Shortly after the Pirates reclaimed
possession of the ball, the game entered the second quarter.
Once the Pirates got inside the ten yard line again,
Campbell hooks up with the wide open, 6-3, senior wide
receiver Mitch Black for his first varsity touchdown.
Jaros then adds his fourth extra point of the night making
the score 28-0.
Yet another strong defensive stand by Platte County allowed
the Pirates to get the ball back quickly.
After Platte County had gotten the ball back from Northeast,
the Pirates again march the ball down the field past the
Viking defense. At about the 20 yard line, Campbell stepped
under senior center Joe Bullock, and unloaded a 20 yard
touchdown pass to junior tight end Cory Williams. This
was Campbell’s third touchdown pass of the night,
making the score now 35-0, still in the second quarter.
Jaros provided a deep kick off for the Pirates, putting
the ball deep in Viking territory.
Before Northeast could get anything going on their drive,
junior cornerback Luke Rainy intercepted the quarterback’s
pass and returned it for 19 yards for another Platte County
touchdown.
A strong Platte County defense forced another short series
for Northeast, who yet again has to punt away the ball.
In the Pirates’ final drive of the first half, they
ran, and passed over the Viking defense, bringing the
ball down to the 13 yard line. Once there, Campbell unloaded
his fourth touchdown pass of the night for 13 yards to
Williams. Jaros does not convert on the extra point. This
makes the score 48-0 as the game went into halftime.
Platte County started off second half action by receiving
the kickoff. It is a short kickoff returned by junior
Brent Parker, who is playing an up man position.
The Pirates first score of the second half comes form
a handoff by Campbell to senior Zach Sherman who runs
the ball 44 yards for his first touchdown of the night.
Sophomore Brett Lemons attempts the point after try and
converts it, giving the Pirates a 55-0 lead over Northeast.
Lemons kicked an onside kick that is recovered by sophomore
Brandon Fogal of Platte County.
The Pirates take out their starting offense, and sophomore
Chris Hawkins takes over at quarterback for the Pirates.
Hawkins leads the team down the field, and gets his first
varsity touchdown pass on a seven yard pass to senior
Richard Clarkson. This time the extra point is not good,
so the score is 61-0.
Platte County removes their starting defenders, and the
new Pirate defense that enters the game picks up where
the starters left off, preventing the Vikings from gaining
hardly any yardage.
Neither team scores throughout the rest of the third
quarter.
With 23 seconds left in the game, Northeast is finally
making a move on the Platte County defense. The Vikings
have managed to get the ball down to the 23 yard line
of the Pirates when they attempt a running play.
The Northeast halfback fumbles the ball and it is picked
up by Clarkson who scrambles 77 yards down the field for
the final touchdown of the game. There is another missed
extra point, and the score is 67-0 with 1.5 seconds left
in the game.
The Pirates then move to 3-0 on the season so far.
Platte County had a total offense of 476 yards. Of the
476 yards, 307 came on the ground while 169 came through
the air.
“We balanced up the offense real well,” said
head coach Chip Sherman. “That was the goal for the
night.”
Zach Sherman was the leading rusher for the Pirates. He
had 218 yards on 14 attempts, and 1 touchdown.
Campbell was the leading passer completing 10 for 153
yards and 4 touchdowns.
The Platte County offense had 26 first downs throughout
the game.
The Pirate defense held Northeast to just four first
downs, some of the came off of penalties. The Vikings
were held to just 19 yards of total offense as compared
to Platte County’s 476 yards of offense.
Rainy had the only interception of the night, which went
for a touchdown, and Clarkson had the only fumble recovery
of the night, which also went for a touchdown.
The leading tacklers for Platte County were junior Travis
Frogge with seven, Prout and Bernard with six each, and
senior Tyler Warner with four.
Platte County will travel up to Benton in St. Joseph,
Sept. 21.
“If we want to win, we will have to continue to
balance up the offence,” Sherman said. “We’ll
have to continue to improve and play good solid defense
and special teams.”
The Pirates’ next home game will be Sept. 28 against
MEC Conference rival Chillicothe. Platte County has won
eight straight over Chillicothe.
|
