Friday night brought a taste of late November in the middle of October, and maybe it was the unseasonably cold temperatures that caused Raymore-Peculiar to get off to a sluggish start in its showdown with Platte County.

Like an old diesel engine, the Panthers were running hot and normal by the end of the first half, using a slew of big plays to jump to a big lead and cruise to a 47-7 victory at home.

Senior running back Gabe Shanklin got the party started in the final minute of the first quarter, turning a simple draw play on 2nd-and-18 into a scintillating 69-yard touchdown jaunt.

“When I see a lane, I do not change direction. I stick with it,” Shanklin said. “They split the Red Sea, I stayed in my lane, broke a couple tackles, and made a play.”

As it turned out, that spark was all the Panthers (5-2) needed to get going.

Junior defensive back Martwan Grant-Coody intercepted a tipped pass three plays later.

Ray-Pec, smelling blood, struck on the ensuing play. Quarterback Conrad Hawley connected with Luke Grimm for a 41-yard score.

For more, read the Kansas City Star