Platte County football unable to keep up with Webb City in state title game

A night that began with much promise turned sour for Platte County as the Pirates fell 48-0 to Webb City in the 2019 Missouri Class 4 state title game.

The Pirates knew the task in front of them was herculean.

“I’d like to congratulate Webb City on a tremendous team and a tremendous game,” said Bill Utz, Platte County coach. “It’s a very good program, and we knew coming into it that we had to execute in order to have a chance.”

Taking the opening kickoff, Platte County drove 69 yards in 10 plays, but the Pirates missed a 24-yard field goal.

“I think that affected us a little bit from a momentum standpoint,” Utz said. “Our field-goal kicker is a pretty good weapon and you never know. You have to take points any time you can get them. It could have changed the momentum, but it was also our first possession.”

The Cardinals countered with a nine-play 80 yard march in 4 minutes, 11 seconds and capped the drive with a Kade Kicks 19-yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead with 2:12 left in the first quarter.

The Pirates, who finished the season 12-3, went right back to work, moving from their own 29 to the Webb City 32, but watched as a 49-yard field-goal attempt sailed just under the crossbar.

“You have to credit their offensive and defensive line,” Utz said. “If you can’t move them off the ball or get them to open holes, it is just tough to win games.”

Webb City (14-1) mounted a 21-point second quarter and took a 28-0 lead into the intermission.

As part of that second quarter, Devrin Weathers capped a five-play, 80-yard drive with an 11-yard TD run that made it 14-0.

The Pirates ended the next Cardinals drive with an interception by Trent Rueckert. A short punt, however, gave Webb City the ball at the Platte County 18, and two plays later, Terrell Kabala elevated the advantage to 21-0 with 4:59 left in the first half.

The Cardinals added a Weathers 16-yard reception from Jeffery Goddard to make the score 28-0 with 32 seconds left in the second quarter.

Platte County was outgained by Webb City 440 yards to 203 in the game. The Cardinals chewed up 415 yards on the ground with Kabala running for 126 on 10 carries and Hicks adding 123 on 13 totes and a pair of touchdowns.

The Pirates were paced by Cayden Davis with 48 yards on 12 carries. Quarterback Chris Ruhnke completed 13 of 29 passes for 121 yards and an interception.

It was the 15th state championship in program history for Webb City and marked the 30th anniversary of the first. Webb City is 15-3 in Show-Me Bowl championship games. John Roderique, Webb City coach, improved to 287-26 in his career.

“I thought tonight was a game where our guys who had played through some adversity this year were playing their best at the end of the season,” Roderique said. “Our kids showed up every day, and they just continued to work. Our defense played well and responded all night. What a great night for our kids.”

Lutheran North wins Class 2: St. Louis Lutheran North rolled past Ava 46-0 earlier on Friday at Faurot Field in the Class 2 championship. It was a battle of unbeatens, but only Lutheran North, now 14-0, remained that way. Ava, a program that was making its first-ever appearance in the football state championship, finished the season 14-1. Meanwhile, it was the sixth state championship for Lutheran North, which last won the title in 1999.

This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 10:42 PM.