Complete Box Score and Play by Play
Sometimes, a single play can alter the course of an entire game in the blink of an eye.
Facing a ferocious blitz, Platte County quarterback Chris Ruhnke connected with receiver Dayton Mitchell on a clutch touchdown pass on the final play of the third quarter, which seemed to get the Pirates back on track and swing things in their favor for good.
That crucial touchdown sparked Platte County’s comeback effort during a 24-17 come-from-behind victory Friday night against North Kansas City in the Class 5 District 8 semifinals.
Running back Cayden Davis ran in the game-winning touchdown with four minutes remaining, but Platte County coach Bill Utz pointed to Ruhnke’s touchdown pass to Mitchell as one of the plays that kept his team’s season alive.
“That pass was probably covered better than most all night, and Dayton was still able to come down with it. That’s two really good players for us making a great play,” Utz said. “It did kind of catapult us into the fourth quarter, even up the score, and then make up that momentum in the last quarter.”
In a rematch from earlier this year, the script played out much differently than last time, when the Hornets staged a remarkable comeback for a 42-37 victory. This time around, North Kansas City (6-5) controlled the early action and benefitted from strong offensive and defensive line play to establish a 17-10 lead going into halftime.
Jelani Murry and Daniel Joiner scored rushing touchdowns for the Hornets as part of a punishing ground game, while the likes of Domonique Orange, Edric Hill and Joiner wreaked havoc along the defensive front.
The No. 1 seed in the district, Platte County made some adjustments on both sides of the ball during halftime, and Utz especially urged the team’s offensive and defensive lines to respond in the second half.
“It was kind of a challenge to our lines to step up and play a little bit better, dig down and find a little bit,” Utz said. “And I think we were able to wear them down a little bit, especially our offense, and really make some plays.”
Sure enough, the Pirates (9-1) forced a turnover on downs late in the third quarter, and Ruhnke delivered on the ensuing drive by throwing a 35-yard touchdown to Mitchell that tied the game at 17-17 going into the final quarter.
“It was probably the biggest play of the game,” Ruhnke said. “We ran the same play earlier, and I missed it. They blitzed everybody, and I missed it. So I saw they were blitzing again, and I trusted Dayton to make a play.”
Meanwhile, Platte County’s defense stepped up when it mattered most and held the Hornets scoreless during the second half, when the Pirates recovered a fumble and forced three turnovers on downs.
“We said, ‘They’re going to run the ball down our throats the whole game if we don’t stop something,’” Platte County linebacker Trevor Scott said. “We loaded up in the middle of the field, and we stopped them. They’d get a push outside, and we’d stop them, too.”
Following a big defensive stop with five minutes left, Ruhnke stayed in the groove and completed four consecutive passes for a total of 62 yards, setting up Davis’ 1-yard touchdown run that proved to be the game-winner.
Ruhnke finished with 257 passing yards and also ran for the Pirates’ first touchdown in the first half, while Colby Rollins led Platte County with 81 receiving yards on six catches. Mitchell and Carter Salzman combined for 100 receiving yards as part of a balanced receiving game that only got better as the game progressed.
By avenging their prior loss to the Hornets, the Pirates advanced to next week’s district final against Staley, and Ruhnke said the come-from behind victory should give the entire team a boost.
“Winning the close ones like this are always exciting, and I think we’ll carry some momentum into next week,” Ruhnke said.
North Kansas City delivered another impressive performance and outgained Platte County thanks to its strong rushing attack, led by 93 yards by J’Len Friar. Bryan Davis II and added another 50 rushing yards, while quarterback Kail Williams threw for 107 yards, including several big passing plays.
Hornets’ coach Leon Douglas knew his team was in for a battle and said that Platte County just found a way to respond to the adversity late in the game. Still, North Kansas City will bring back a strong core of talented players next year, and Douglas praised the team’s seniors for providing leadership during another winning season.
“We’ve got a lot to work with, a lot coming back, but we lose some great seniors,” Douglas said. “Some seniors who overcame a lot, who battled and worked on the field and in the classroom.
“There’s a lot to be pleased about.”
