After containing one of the state’s top backs last week in Winnetonka’s Darrell Jobe, the Park Hill Trojans (6-1) will faceoff against Park Hill South (4-3) in the annual matchup between the two rivals to determine who will be this year’s ‘King of the Hill’. Not only will it be a battle between two district foes, it will be a battle of two very different football styles as well, with Park Hill’s power football approach going up against South’s spread offense and quick defensive strategy.
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Homecoming festivities were underway last week at Park Hill as alumni and other fans joined the crowd for a large turnout. Although more fans than normal, last week will be nothing compared to this Friday’s anticipated game.
“Good to have a big crowd tonight,” coach Greg Reynolds said after Park Hill’s 35-21 victory of Winnetonka last week. “It will be double (the crowd) next week, but we’ve been there before and will be fine.”
Looking back to last week, it could have been a different game if it wasn’t for a two score swing mid-way through the third quarter. On a Winnetonka 3rd and 12 play, quarterback Nick Powell hit receiver Tyler Henley for what would have been a 76 yard touchdown play. But as Henley streaked down the sideline, Park Hill’s Corey Sterling came out of nowhere to take Henley down before reaching the goal line. The impact jarred the ball loose for De’Rion Rambo to recover the ball at the one yard line. Four plays later, Sterling, now in his role as quarterback, sent a spiral into the hands of Rambo once again as he ran untouched for an 80-yard touchdown. This put Park Hill up 28-7.
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Trace Norfleet produced 109 yards on 16 carries resulting in two touchdowns behind continued quality offensive line play. After missing the previous two games, Josh Eatman came back with a renewed sense of energy as he added the Trojans final touchdown in the fourth quarter. Also back was fullback Sean Gorman. With the Trojan backfield healthy, Reynolds talked about what they bring to the field. “You’ve got one guy that’s very fast (Norfleet) and another that is slippery (Eatman),” Reynolds said. “Sean’s a good blocker and breaks people down.”
Park Hill defeated South last year 28-7 as the ‘home’ team, but this year they’ll switch sides to play as the visiting team and look at the sideline they usually hold as their own. Emotions will be running high for the game each team marks their calendars for each year.
On offense, the Panthers will look to get their pass game going with quarterback Chris Hamilton and wide receiver Austin Green. Hamilton will also be involved in the running game as a lot of the offensive schemes revolve around the quarterback’s ability to run.
“We’ll adjust to their passing game,” Park Hill linebacker Daniel Jessen said.
“We have great d-backs,” Sterling added. “I think they’re going to step it up.”
The excitement of each team’s first district game will also add to the mix. For many teams, it’s a chance for a fresh start to the season. Reynolds talked about how his kids have looked at it differently.
“We’ve made every game feel like a playoff game and the kids have taken that to heart,” Reynolds said. “We’ve used every game as a challenge to us.”
The Panthers will come in as an underdog, but with a team that came alive at this time last year to end the season 3-1 and a more experienced group of players, there’s no telling what can happen when you put the southern Platte County rivals together. One thing to be assured, the atmosphere on hand at Park Hill District Stadium on Friday will be enough to excite any sports fan.
“You don’t have to try to get us hyped, it’s already there,” Park Hill’s Sterling said.
“To beat Park Hill,” South’s Chapman Williams said earlier this year about his team’s goals.
Homecoming festivities were underway last week at Park Hill as alumni and other fans joined the crowd for a large turnout. Although more fans than normal, last week will be nothing compared to this Friday’s anticipated game.“Good to have a big crowd tonight,” coach Greg Reynolds said after Park Hill’s 35-21 victory of Winnetonka last week. “It will be double (the crowd) next week, but we’ve been there before and will be fine.”
Looking back to last week, it could have been a different game if it wasn’t for a two score swing mid-way through the third quarter. On a Winnetonka 3rd and 12 play, quarterback Nick Powell hit receiver Tyler Henley for what would have been a 76 yard touchdown play. But as Henley streaked down the sideline, Park Hill’s Corey Sterling came out of nowhere to take Henley down before reaching the goal line. The impact jarred the ball loose for De’Rion Rambo to recover the ball at the one yard line. Four plays later, Sterling, now in his role as quarterback, sent a spiral into the hands of Rambo once again as he ran untouched for an 80-yard touchdown. This put Park Hill up 28-7.
Trace Norfleet produced 109 yards on 16 carries resulting in two touchdowns behind continued quality offensive line play. After missing the previous two games, Josh Eatman came back with a renewed sense of energy as he added the Trojans final touchdown in the fourth quarter. Also back was fullback Sean Gorman. With the Trojan backfield healthy, Reynolds talked about what they bring to the field. “You’ve got one guy that’s very fast (Norfleet) and another that is slippery (Eatman),” Reynolds said. “Sean’s a good blocker and breaks people down.”Park Hill defeated South last year 28-7 as the ‘home’ team, but this year they’ll switch sides to play as the visiting team and look at the sideline they usually hold as their own. Emotions will be running high for the game each team marks their calendars for each year.On offense, the Panthers will look to get their pass game going with quarterback Chris Hamilton and wide receiver Austin Green. Hamilton will also be involved in the running game as a lot of the offensive schemes revolve around the quarterback’s ability to run.
“We’ll adjust to their passing game,” Park Hill linebacker Daniel Jessen said.
“We have great d-backs,” Sterling added. “I think they’re going to step it up.”
The excitement of each team’s first district game will also add to the mix. For many teams, it’s a chance for a fresh start to the season. Reynolds talked about how his kids have looked at it differently.
“We’ve made every game feel like a playoff game and the kids have taken that to heart,” Reynolds said. “We’ve used every game as a challenge to us.”
The Panthers will come in as an underdog, but with a team that came alive at this time last year to end the season 3-1 and a more experienced group of players, there’s no telling what can happen when you put the southern Platte County rivals together. One thing to be assured, the atmosphere on hand at Park Hill District Stadium on Friday will be enough to excite any sports fan.
“You don’t have to try to get us hyped, it’s already there,” Park Hill’s Sterling said.
“To beat Park Hill,” South’s Chapman Williams said earlier this year about his team’s goals.
