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Plug and play.

That’s the tradition of the Platte County program – the next class of kids comes in and simply wins.

In all but one season this decade, the Pirates have won 7+ games, with five straight years of 8+ wins.

“I recently was asked to explain our culture in one word. It took me two – high expectations,” said PC head coach Bill Utz. “Conduct wise, academic wise, performance wise – our expectations always are to shoot for as high as we can.”

The expectations are particularly high for the Pirates offense and quarterback, which has featured three different quarterbacks in three seasons – with the trio (Mitchell, Clarkson, Stewart) averaging 2,950+ passing yards and 34+ touchdowns in their campaigns.

Next up? Junior Chris Ruhnke (6-foot-3, 180) who will be making his varsity debut this season.

“He’s been doing a pretty good job,” Utz said. “Chris has pretty good tools and is a pretty talented kid We’ve been blessed with very good receivers the last few years, but he has solid weapons to throw to.”

His top target will be junior Dayton Mitchell, who returns after reeling in 230 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore.

“He’s stepped up in the offseason,” Utz said. “He originally played in the secondary, but has found a home on the offensive side. He’s a pretty talented, explosive kid.”

His other main target to stat the season will be Donny MacCuish (5-foot-9, 140), who broke 100 yards and caught a touchdown as a sophomore.

Junior Cayden Davis (5-foot-8, 170) will be the main ballcarrier at running back. A year ago, Davis notched 355 yards on 69 totes, three for scores. Davis started a few games as a sophomore.

“We like his experience coming back,” Utz said. “He’s a hard-nosed runner.”

Up front, the line brings back a solid cast, with three-year starter, senior guard Max Renner (6-0, 215) joining junior tackle Trey Butcher (6-foot-3, 265),  senior center Luke Seigel and senior tackle Wyett Wallingford (6-foot-5, 290), who’s “getting better all the time”.

Defensively, the Pirates will be led in the trenches by three-year starter, senior Garret Watson (6-foot-2, 205) who notched 64 tackles in 2018, as well as a “rotation of young but talented kids”.

Senior linebacker Gabe Harmon (86 tackles) joins sophomore Trevor Scott (5-foot-10, 195), who tallied 33 tackles as a freshman.

“Gabe is a great leader and one of those kids who’s in the right place,” Utz said. “Trevor is a real mature kid at his age who knows to do the right thing out there.”

The secondary brings back Trent Reuckert at safety, who registered 71 tackles last year. Fellow senior Will Hay tallied 66 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended in 2018.

“At this point, our defense is further along than our offense,” Utz said. “We may have a different look than we have in past years, but I like how things are shaping up.”

Grant Allen, who stars on the soccer team as well, will double up as a weapon at kicker and punter.

Platte County will again endure league play with Kearney, Smithville and Grain Valley, as well as non-con larger opponents in Park Hill South and Raymore-Peculiar.

“Our conference is tough, but then we play above us in the non-con,” Utz said. “I could see us having a worse record than last year (10-2), but being a better team come the playoffs.”