Park Hill ends Staley’s season with a touchdown in final minutes
Park Hill senior Kentrez Bell and sophomore Billy Maples were on the sideline late in the fourth quarter last week, where they watched the Trojans’ defense come up with four consecutive stops to secure a victory.
On Friday, they returned the favor.
Maples connected with Bell for a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, lifting Park Hill to 27-16 victory against Staley in the Missouri Class 5 playoffs.
Park Hill will play in the Class 5 quarterfinals against Fort Osage, which defeated Truman 33-20on Friday.
On Friday, Staley took a 16-13 lead with 3:55 left in the game, when Beau Baker caught a 20-yard touchdown pass.
Park Hill responded. And quickly, too.
Maples found Bell for a 16-yard touchdown with 2:02 left.
“The best part was our sideline knew they were was plenty of time — they never felt rushed,” Park Hill coach Josh Hood said. “Our offensive tempo allows us to play fast, and Billy did a great job of keeping that together.”
After sophomore Liam Henry intercepted a pass on Staley’s next drive, Zach Neal iced the game with his second rushing touchdown.
Blue Springs South 46, Francis Howell 28
An unbeaten Francis Howell team entered Friday night having allowed only 57 points through their first 10 games.
Blue Springs South flirted with that mark in just one night.
The Jaguars utilized their running game for a 46-28 blowout at Francis Howell on Friday.
The Jaguars set the tone with 213 rushing yards in the first half — including 126 from Adam Cofield. Quarterback Noah Nigro ran for three touchdowns in the game.
“We didn’t know much about their team, so it was hard to say what we thought might work. But (running the ball) is obviously what we do, so we thought we could have some success with it,” Jaguars coach Greg Oder said. “Because it was working, we stuck with it.”
Odessa 28, Oak Grove 10
There will be a new champion in Missouri Class 3 football this season.
Odessa knocked out defending state-champion Oak Grove 28-10 on Friday in a district title game — the Bulldogs second victory against their rivals this season.
On Sept. 18, Odessa needed a last-minute touchdown for a seven-point victory against Oak Grove. On Friday, it got to work much earlier.
Bulldogs tailback Kobe Hardin ran for a touchdown on the first offensive play of the game before finishing with three touchdowns.
“We beat a good football team. There’s no question about that,” Odessa coach Mark Thomas coach. “Going in, we knew we had to play a lot better defensively, particularly on the defensive line. I felt like our kids really stepped up in that area and played well tonight.”
Odessa will face Maryville on Nov. 14.
Kearney 43, Platte County 3
In the third week of the season, the Kearney Bulldogs lost for the first time, and afterwards, coach Greg Jones implored his team to play a more physical brand of football.
The Bulldogs have heeded those instructions.
Kearney won its ninth straight game Friday, a 43-3 win against Platte County in a Missouri Class 4 district championship game. All nine have been routs.
Marcus Harris ran for 195 yards and two touchdowns in the latest one. Dawson Goepferich kicked field goals of 49, 42 and 37 yards.
Kearney will travel to Hannibal on Nov. 14.
This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 11:48 PM with the headline "Park Hill ends Staley’s season with a touchdown in final minutes."