Pirate fall to Jackson in state championship game
A dream season for the Platte County Pirate football team ended with a 42-7 loss to the undefeated Jackson Indians in the Class 5 state championship game in Jefferson City on Saturday.
It was the second year in a row the Pirates have advanced to the state championship game. Last year the Pirates, playing in Class 4, fell in the title contest.
Jackson jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the first period, and extended the advantage to 21-0 at the half. Jackson added 14 points in the third quarter for a commanding 35-0 lead, then pushed it to 42-0 before the Pirates tallied with two minutes remaining in the game.
Platte County’s normally powerful offense could not get on track much of the contest against a very stout Jackson defensive squad, which pressured the Pirate quarterback all the day long.
Quarterback Chris Ruhnke completed 10 of 32 passes for 124 yards. The Pirates were only able to add 48 yards rushing.
Meanwhile, Jackson did much of its damage on the ground, with 249 rushing yards. The Indians, who did not have to punt during the game, were also able to accomplish some things through the air, with two touchdown passes in the contest, one of those coming at the 8:08 mark of the second quarter for a 14-0 lead.
Jackson’s first score had come on a 75-yard touchdown scamper by running back Daniel Dickerson, who finished the game with 192 yards rushing on 22 carries with a pair of touchdowns. Jackson quarterback Cael Welker completed 14 of 18 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns.
The Jackson team averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
Platte County’s touchdown came on a one yard run by Cayden Davis with 2:30 to play in the contest.
Davis finished with 31 yards on 10 carries. Ruhnke carried nine times for 17 yards.
Colby Rollins led the Pirates in receiving yards with 75 on two catches. Dayton Mitchell caught three for 21 yards, Carter Saltzman2-10, Davis 1-7, Joey Schultz 1-7, and Kevin Hughes 1-4.
The Pirates are coached by Bill Utz.