To the victor go the spoils as the old saying goes. Park Hill’s three game winning streak came right on time as they swept through district play to claim their tenth title in eleven years by beating St. Joe Central 31-20 last Friday. They’ll also reap the benefits of a well-earned bye week. The winner of Wednesday’s Staley/Fort Osage regional round game will advance to play the Trojans in the sectional game to be played Monday, November 8th at Park Hill. While Park Hill (7-3) is no stranger to district championships, they’ll be looking to win their first playoff game in four years.
Although being in this situation is nothing new for a Greg Reynolds led football team, for this particular group they’ve overcome what they see as lowered expectations coming into this season compared to years past.
“It’s great, you can’t put anything on it,” Quarterback Nate Wilson said. “Everyone was talking this season about us being down. It’s not only about proving it to everyone else, but also proving it to ourselves as well.”
“I don’t know if people were expecting a down year, but maybe they weren’t expecting what we were last year because of the senior class lost. This year’s senior class really came together and did some things. The guys returning had something to prove. I guarantee not one person out there thought we’d beat Staley to win a district championship,” Reynolds said.
Not at complete strength for most of the season, Park Hill saw more injury problems last Friday night against Central as running back Trace Norfleet and lineman Ondre Pipkins left the game early. But before his departure, it was Norfleet’s 42 yard touchdown reception from Wilson that put the Trojans up 13-0 following two Neal Sampson field goals (25, 24 yards). Then, it was Jordan Wang’s two touchdown runs of 33-yards a piece that put the Trojans up 31-7 going into the third quarter.
Wang, who has been a firecracker on both sides of the ball for the Trojans this season, is one of Park Hill’s most vocal leaders on the field. The unique way he gets pumped up prior to kickoff and his yells to shake off a hard hit are something that keeps him and his teammates’ adrenaline running.
“It just comes natural to me,” Wang said of his leadership approach. “It’s just like family, got to watch out for your younger brothers and teach them your ways.”
“We both got fired up tonight, but we always give him a hard time before kick off because he’s jumping around and everything,” Wilson said of his teammate.
Two late touchdowns weren’t enough for Central as the Trojans sealed a 31-20 victory. No matter which opponent Park Hill faces next Monday, they’ll be familiar with the opposition. A potential Staley (8-2) rematch from just a few weeks ago could be in the works or a fourth consecutive playoff meeting with Fort Osage (7-3). Neither opponent will be taken lightly by the Trojans, but their immediate concerns are internal and focused on self-improvement and the ever-important factor of concentration.
“I think get healthy is a big thing,” Wilson said. “Concentrate on ourselves more than the other team and really gain our focus back.”
“We’re just going to work on the little things,” Reynolds said. “On Friday nights, it comes down to the guys on the field. When you get into the playoffs, and you’re playing in the second round you’re going to be playing good teams and if you’re not close to perfect you can lose.”
