Who says a defense isn't the best offense?

Park Hill managed to not score a point offensively, but muster a 13-10 win over No. 13 Raymore-Peculiar on Thursday night.

In a defensive battle that included six interceptions, No. 5 Park Hill relied on a big defensive play and a timely special teams call for its points.

Ray-Pec (3-2) got on the board early with a Conrad Hawkley touchdown pass to Tucker Miller for 15 yards and a 7-0 lead with 3:23 in the first quarter. But later, Hawley fell victim to Javion Gathrite in a big way, as Gathrite took an interception out of the end zone all the way for a score, and a 7-6 deficitt with 6:27 until half.

The score remained the same until a 36-yard Gabe Sappington field goal boosted the Panthers edge to 10-6 with 2:05 left in the third. 

But on a fourth-down at midfield with just over nine minutes left in the game, Jaylin Noel took a fake punt 48 yards for the winning touchdown, and a 13-10 lead.

"We had to make something happen, and it was the right timing, everyone sold it well and executed," Park Hill head coach Josh Hood said. "Jaylin did the rest and came up with a big one for us."

For the night, the Park Hill defense registered four interceptions of Hawley.

Gabe Shanklin led all rushers with 132 yards for Ray-Pec. 

Park Hill  (4-1) will entertain Fort Osage (2-3) next Friday, while Raymore-Peculiar faces Blue Springs. 

Cover photo: Len Lehmann

Platte County made sure it didn't need second-half heroics this week.

The Pirates, who came back from a 17-0 deficit for an 18-17 win last week against Grain Valley, throttled Raytown South

Platte County (4-1) got on the board after a Tyson fumble recovery, resulting in a Cayden Davis 7-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing possession, Dayton Mitchell snared three balls on a short drive, including a 3-yard score for a 14-0 lead with 3:43 in the first quarter.

Chris Ruhnke kept with Mitchell, hitting the senior with a 20-yard touchdown strike, early in the second quarter. Mitchell added a third touchdown reception - for 18 yards - to put the Pirates up 35-0 with 5:14 before the half.

For the game, Ruhnke finished with 169 yards on 15-of-25 passing with the three touchdowns to Mitchell, who finished with 73 yards.

Ben McDaniel led the Pirates with 88 rushing yards on 17 carries, while Davis added 77 and the score. Lewis Hunter also found the end zone en route to 43 yards.

A Tavain Turner interception return for a touchdown notched the lone score for Raytown South.

Platte County (4-1) faces currently undefeated Smithville (4-0) next Friday. The Warriors face Sedalia Smith-Cotton tonight.