Going into last Friday’s game against Blue Springs South the Park Hill Trojans knew they would be tested. But after a game that went down to the wire last year, they probably didn’t expect some of the same late game excitement would happen again this year. Although the Trojans weren’t able to muster a comeback in the fourth quarter before falling 21-14, the idea that they could compete against the best was reinforced for a talented team that has tremendous potential.
“Once our kids get used to some of the things we’re trying to do we’re going to be more successful,” coach Greg Reynolds said. “They did that tonight.”
Park Hill looks to Columbia Hickman this Friday in their home opener. Last year the Trojans traveled to Columbia and beat the Kewpies 48-15. Hickman comes into the game 1-1, including a week one lose to Liberty 42-6. They’re averaging 133 yards passing and 92 rushing. Look for Park Hill to use this as a week to focus on fundamentals as a tune up for what will be a difficult test against Liberty in week four.
By the numbers, last Friday’s game was close in almost every category. The one exception, to the dismay of the Trojans, was field position. Park Hill’s average starting field position was around their own 16-yard line while BSS’s average was around their own 38-yard line. Both teams seemed to adopt the other’s offense. The Jaguars went with a steady run game to attack the Trojans while Park Hill looked to utilize their passing game.
“They kind of had a game plan more like we usually have, and we had more of a game plan they would have,” Reynolds said.
The game started slow with both teams exchanging drives in the first quarter. With 1:32 left in the first quarter, Blue Springs South started a drive from their 43-yard line and went on to travel 57-yards in 3:52 finished by a 2-yard touchdown run by running back A.J. Mack. Park Hill then exchanged three and out drives with the Jaguars again before receiving a punt and starting a drive from the 9-yard line. Four minutes twenty-three seconds and 91-yards later, fullback Sean Gorman took a 7-yard quick trap into the end zone to tie the score at 7-7 going into halftime. 
The Jaguars received the second half kickoff and started at their 43-yard line. Calvin Jacobson, who completed 7 of 20 for 93 yards passing on the night, led the Jaguars on a 4:07 drive ending with an athletic over the shoulder catch by receiver Logan Moon for a 9-yard touchdown. Park Hill’s lone third quarter drive stalled deep in Jaguar territory at the 17-yard line. With 10:15 in the fourth quarter the Jaguars got the ball at their 46-yard line and went 54 yards in three plays highlighted by a 31-yard run and 23-yard touchdown run by Cameron Davis.
With the ball, down 21-7, the Trojans’ sideline erupted after a 49-yard pass from Corey Sterling to Trace Norfleet landed Park Hill at the South 15-yard line. Two plays later Sean Gorman barreled up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown run with 2:28 left to play. After two failed onside kicks, all the Jaguars had to do was run down the clock to ensure their victory. But after a quick timeout by Park Hill, on 2nd and 13 from the South 40, the Park Hill defense stripped the ball causing a fumble recovered by the Trojans. On 3rd and 15 with under two minutes to play, Park Hill’s Corey Sterling passed to Esaw Adrien for the first down, but as Adrien turned to go up field a Jaguar defender jarred the ball loose to allow South to recover the fumble and run out the clock.
“We’re in week two of the season and the fifth week of practice,” said Reynolds of the early season. “We’re trying to figure out our kids and what they can do, that’s what it’s all about.”
“Once our kids get used to some of the things we’re trying to do we’re going to be more successful,” coach Greg Reynolds said. “They did that tonight.”
Park Hill looks to Columbia Hickman this Friday in their home opener. Last year the Trojans traveled to Columbia and beat the Kewpies 48-15. Hickman comes into the game 1-1, including a week one lose to Liberty 42-6. They’re averaging 133 yards passing and 92 rushing. Look for Park Hill to use this as a week to focus on fundamentals as a tune up for what will be a difficult test against Liberty in week four.By the numbers, last Friday’s game was close in almost every category. The one exception, to the dismay of the Trojans, was field position. Park Hill’s average starting field position was around their own 16-yard line while BSS’s average was around their own 38-yard line. Both teams seemed to adopt the other’s offense. The Jaguars went with a steady run game to attack the Trojans while Park Hill looked to utilize their passing game.
“They kind of had a game plan more like we usually have, and we had more of a game plan they would have,” Reynolds said.
The game started slow with both teams exchanging drives in the first quarter. With 1:32 left in the first quarter, Blue Springs South started a drive from their 43-yard line and went on to travel 57-yards in 3:52 finished by a 2-yard touchdown run by running back A.J. Mack. Park Hill then exchanged three and out drives with the Jaguars again before receiving a punt and starting a drive from the 9-yard line. Four minutes twenty-three seconds and 91-yards later, fullback Sean Gorman took a 7-yard quick trap into the end zone to tie the score at 7-7 going into halftime. The Jaguars received the second half kickoff and started at their 43-yard line. Calvin Jacobson, who completed 7 of 20 for 93 yards passing on the night, led the Jaguars on a 4:07 drive ending with an athletic over the shoulder catch by receiver Logan Moon for a 9-yard touchdown. Park Hill’s lone third quarter drive stalled deep in Jaguar territory at the 17-yard line. With 10:15 in the fourth quarter the Jaguars got the ball at their 46-yard line and went 54 yards in three plays highlighted by a 31-yard run and 23-yard touchdown run by Cameron Davis.With the ball, down 21-7, the Trojans’ sideline erupted after a 49-yard pass from Corey Sterling to Trace Norfleet landed Park Hill at the South 15-yard line. Two plays later Sean Gorman barreled up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown run with 2:28 left to play. After two failed onside kicks, all the Jaguars had to do was run down the clock to ensure their victory. But after a quick timeout by Park Hill, on 2nd and 13 from the South 40, the Park Hill defense stripped the ball causing a fumble recovered by the Trojans. On 3rd and 15 with under two minutes to play, Park Hill’s Corey Sterling passed to Esaw Adrien for the first down, but as Adrien turned to go up field a Jaguar defender jarred the ball loose to allow South to recover the fumble and run out the clock.“We’re in week two of the season and the fifth week of practice,” said Reynolds of the early season. “We’re trying to figure out our kids and what they can do, that’s what it’s all about.” 
