Staley and Platte County both reached their respective Missouri high school football semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 18, but they took different paths to get there — and face different upcoming opponents.
Staley had to survive a nip-and-tuck Class 5 quarterfinal game Nov. 10 against Fort Osage, much as it had to when the teams first met earlier this season.
The Falcons (12-0) prevailed 28-14 and will face Carthage (9-3) in its semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday at Staley.
Meanwhile, Platte County raced to a six-touchdown halftime lead at Moberly and cruised to a 42-14 victory during its Class 4 quarterfinal.
The Pirates (11-2) face undefeated Webb City, a program that boasts 16 state titles, in its semifinal at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Cardinal Stadium in Webb City, Mo.
Staley needed a 5-yard run from quarterback John Raybourn late in the third quarter for the go-ahead score against Fort Osage.
Raybourn rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns and also threw for 187 yards and a TD.
The victory secured a second straight semifinals berth for Staley, which lost to eventual state champion Vianney in last year’s semifinal.
Platte County will play in its sixth semifinal in school history and first since 2005 after routing Moberly.
Quarterback Tanner Clarkson threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Devin Richardson, and rushed for another TD for the Pirates, while Gavin Hardman rushed for 91 yards and a TD.
Park Hill already was a semifinalist in Class 6, but its season came to an end with a 34-14 loss at Blue Springs.
The Trojans (10-3), who beat Blue Springs during the regular season, fell behind 27-6 by halftime and never could catch up against the Wildcats.
Blue Springs (11-2) will play Christian Brothers College of St. Louis for the Class 6 championship at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Plaster Field in Springfield.
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