After ending its season at Grain Valley in 2023, Platte County left no doubt this time around.

The Pirates blasted the Eagles, 52-21, in a matchup of recent Class 5 powers in the Metro. The two faced off last season in the Class 5, District 8 final, with Grain Valley winning, 27-25.

The contest looked to be another classic with a 14-14 halftime deadlock, but Platte County exploded in the second half. Quarterback Rocco Marriott got the offense rolling with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Ty Christopher to break the tie, and the Pirates didn’t look back.  A Jackson Goodell field goal preceded another Marriott touchdown pass, this time to Braiden Stevens, for 17 unanswered points and a 31-14 margin with 1:56 left in the third quarter.

Grain Valley (1-1) looked to get back into the game after Robert Palmer’s second rushing touchdown of 80+ yards trimmed the deficit to 31-21. But Platte County’s Tres Baskerville answered with a touchdown reception, then another Marriott-to-Christopher connection for a 45-21 ballon of a lead. Marriott finished with five touchdowns in the contest.

Platte County, ranked No. 8 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, treks to Fort Osage next Friday, while Grain Valley travels to William Chrisman.