Last week, Platte County survived an overtime thriller against Liberty. This week, the Pirates had the game in hand long before the clock hit zero in the fourth quarter.

The Pirates enjoyed a much easier course on Friday, with a 31-7 win over Raytown South.

Statistically, both teams looked pretty comparable when looking at the total yards, offensive snaps, and even turnovers. However, the Pirates dominated in the stat that matters most: points. 

In the first half, the Pirates were able to score on its first drive of the game, a six-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Tanner Clarkson to junior wide receiver Dylan Gilbert. A good start, but the next two Pirate possessions would end with frustration. Clarkson was intercepted by Cardinals senior defensive back Reaud Hall on the very next possession, and then strip sacked by Cardinals senior defensive lineman Dakota Pool.

Defense would be the name of the game for the rest of the half until the Pirates took advantage of a muffed Cardinals punt return. The Pirates recovered the punt at the Cardinals’ 14 yard line and scored two plays later on a Clarkson pass to senior wide receiver Devin Richardson. The Cardinals would put together a nice final drive, but it would end with an intercepted Hail Mary at the goal line. At the half, it was the Pirates with a 14-0 advantage.

Clarkson and the Pirates knew it was a slow start, but it was just a matter of time before things got rolling again. “Well, we started out a little slow, but it’s just tempo. Once we picked up the tempo and picked up our game and just played our game, it started working for us,” Clarkson said.

The second half was all Pirates. Seventeen more points would be added to the box score, complete with a successful 27-yard field goal and two 40-plus yard field goal attempts by Pirate senior kicker Parker Lacina.

Clarkson and Pirates senior running back Gavin Hardman both ran for additional touchdowns in the second half and put the Pirates up, 31-0. Clarkson would finish the game going 17-of-29 for 154 yards, two touchdown passes and a touchdown run. The Pirates rushing attack was a team effort, with six runners combining for a total of 101 yards for the night.

With 51 seconds left in the game, the Cardinals would score its only points late, albeit in impressive fashion. Junior running back Sincere Grimes raced down the field for a 96-yard touchdown run. The Pirates’ shutout was no more, but the win was dominant nonetheless.

While the Pirates (6-1) host the Winnetonka Griffins (1-6) next week, calendars should be circled for the showdown in the final game of the season when the Pirates will face its rival, the Kearney Bulldogs (6-1), in Kearney. The Cardinals (4-3) will go to Grandview (3-4) next week, before it faces its own rival, the Raytown Blue Jays (4-3).