Photo Credit: Joe Caronia/PrepsKC 
On a cold night, in Hamilton Missouri, the Penny Hornets, won the district championship, 35-13, over North Platte. The game was a throwback, the first pass attempt by either team, did not happen until under a minute left in the first half.
There was only one score in the first half. A 2-yard run, right over the center, by Jack Cooley. The Hornets lined up for the point after kick, but it was a fake, and the Panthers, stopped the run.
The third quarter scoring was, early and often. It started with the Hornets quarterback, Titus McBee, following his O-Line and scoring on a 6-yard run. McBee went back under center, and ran the two-point conversion in, as well.
The Panthers cut the lead in half, when Westin Snook, connected with receiver Caleb Wright, for a 24-yard, touchdown pass. Davi Azvedo converted the point after.
This is the point of the game where Jack Cooley, took over. Cooley scored on a 9-yard run, and then kicked the point after. On the following possession, while on defense, Cooley intercepted a pass, giving the ball back, to McBee, and the offense. McBee scored on a 1 yard sneak, and Cooley converted another kick.
The Hornets final score came from, their defense. Safety, Sawyer Ford, picked off a pass and returned it 75 yards for the “Pick-6”. Cooley nailed his final kick of the night.
North Platte scored on the final play of the game. Snook, and Wright, connected for the second time, this score was from 17 yards out.
After the game Titus McBee, was asked about the physical ground game.
“Sore, but feels good, to be district champions,” McBee said. “Recover this weekend, and get ready for next week.”
The Hornets lineman Zain Pulliam described his duties, when blocking for this prolific ground game.
“I’m looking to blow a big hole, for the guys behind me to run through, and keep them safe.”
The Panthers close out the season, with a final record of 3-9. The Hornets are just one game away from the state title game, and they will play Tipton, next week to see who advances.
