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Season Preview: Platte County

By Chad Rader, 810 Varsity, 08/02/22, 8:15AM CDT

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Pirates aim for another strong season in 2022

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Well, Platte County can't go to the state title game EVERY year.

The Pirates two-year run of advancing to the Missouri Class 5 championship fell short last year, but at 9-3, was still a strong year for PC.

Platte County looks to be solid again, as key players return in 2022. The Pirates have won 8+ games in eight straight seasons under head coach Bill Utz.

The headliner will be defensive end Chandavian Bradley (6-foot-5, 220), who ranks in the top 10 in the nation for edge rushers and committed to Tennesse this offsesaon.

Alongside Bradley will be senior Marques Brown (6-0, 265) and junior Kory Wossner (6-foot-1, 210) and Tucker McDowell (6-foot-4, 225). 

Senior linebacker Cameron Wolfe (6-foot-1, 200) and fellow senior Garrett-Smith Dean (5-foot-10, 175) will start in the secondary as Platte County rebuilds its defense.

"The defense has to find new leaders. We lost a lot of gifted leadership from last year," Utz said. "The key this year is about coming together and playing for each other."

Offensively, Platte County will hand the keys over to quarterback Dylan Zimmerman. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior will be the sixth quarterback over the last seven seasons, in which the Pirates won 59 games in six years.

"Dylan's waited his time and knows our offense. There's always an adjustment period for sure at the varsity level, but he'll get better each week," Utz said.

Among the targets will be senior wideouts Tristan Magnuson (6-foot-3, 190), who snagged 11 catches for 149 yards and three scores, and Carter Salzman (5-foot-9, 175), who caught 48 passes for 548 yards and four scores. Salzman also will return punts for Platte County.

"Tristan will be a bigger target, while Carter is quick, runs excellent routes and has great hands," Utz commented.


Nate Walls will lead the ground game for Platte County. (Photo: Darryl Woods, 810 Varsity)

Senior Nate Walls (5-foot-10, 185) returns as the primary running back, after rushing for 770 yards and 14 scores a year ago. 

Up front, junior Muyonta Maxwell (6-foot-4, 250) brings size to an offensive line with new faces from 2021.

"Our line plays will be our main concern on offense," Utz said. "But we'll be ready and look forward to the upcoming season. Our expectations are always high and we'll continue to strive to meet those expectations on a daily basis."

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