For the first time in nearly two decades, Smithville triumphantly raised the trophy as district champions.
The Warriors held off a fierce effort from Platte County in the final minute and clinched a historic, 33-28 victory to claim the Class 4 District 8 title. It’s the program’s first district championship since 2001, allowing Smithville to advance to a quarterfinal matchup against Warrensburg next week.
“When you have the commitment to do something collectively as a group, you can do great things,” Smithville coach Jason Ambroson said. “We just kept doing it, and they did it.
“I’m so proud.”
There was plenty of history between Platte County (10-2) and Smithville (11-1), which squared off against one another in the postseason for the seventh consecutive year. What’s more, the Pirates had bragging rights this season after a one-point, comeback victory during the regular season.
Frigid conditions led to a slow first half, but the action picked up immediately after halftime. Platte County (10-2) recovered a fumble and scored three minutes later, kicking off a frenzied pace that resulted in four lead changes the rest of the way.
First, Dylan Gilbert caught a short touchdown pass to put the Pirates in front. Then, Brian Boyd bulldozed his way into the end zone to put the Warriors back in front. Adel Freitek would put Platte County on top again by the end of the third quarter.
But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Smithville took the lead for good when quarterback Kellen Simoncic threw a perfect pass to tight end Jake Fisher for a 52-yard touchdown.
“That was big (for our) momentum,” Simoncic said. “The line had great protection. Jake ran a great route, and it was a touchdown.”
In a back-and-forth contest, Smithville’s defense crucially put its foot down and turned the tide. On a 4th and 2 in their own territory, the Warriors forced an incomplete pass and swung the momentum back in their favor.
Senior defensive lineman Seth Teachout said the message was simple on that game-changing drive.
“Next play, next play. We’ve got to keep on pushing and stop the (offense),” Teachout said. “If we stay as a team, we’ll win. We’ll come back, and we’ll stop them.”
Just as they did last week against Kearney, the Warriors engineered a lengthy drive that took several minutes off the clock and resulted in a touchdown from Boyd, who scored twice and was a force on both sides of the ball.
Platte County needed just two play to get back into the end zone when senior quarterback Spencer Stewart found Gilbert for his third touchdown, making it 33-28. But the Warriors recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to win the rematch of last year’s district championship game.
For Ambroson, it marked his fifth district championship as a coach, with the previous four all coming at Moberly. In his fourth year as Smithville’s coach, he said this victory has been years in the making, led by a senior class that has lifted the program to new heights.
“We had goals, and they kept chopping them down and kept going after it,” Ambroson said. “It just shows what it’s all about. Investing in yourselves, investing in your teammates, and good things are going to happen.
“I couldn’t be more-proud of this group.”
