Focus now on Blue Springs South for Panthers after firing on all cylinders in opener

After a week one shutout victory against Belton 30-0, the Park Hill South Panthers will now begin what is sure to be a challenging string of games the next two weeks. This Friday they'll travel to Blue Springs South to take on a 1-0 Jaguars squad fresh off a shutout of their own against Raytown South 29-0. In last season's matchup Park Hill South suffered a discouraging 34-7 early season loss to the Jaguars. They'll be going up against a program that has become known as one of the best in the city, which means the Panthers won’t have much room for error if they want to continue their winning ways.

"They're a team that doesn't lose on their own, you have to beat them. I mean they line up where they're supposed to every time and rarely miss assignments," head coach Mark Simcox said. "They're going to make you earn it by putting together eight and nine play scoring drives."

The Panther defense will have their eyes set on shutting down Blue Springs South and running back Trey Ervin who rushed ten times for 126 yards and two touchdowns last Friday. Additionally, they'll look to put pressure on quarterback Connor Harris who threw for 98 yards and also posted 10 points as part of a three field goal and one extra point kicking performance.

"It doesn't look like they have three or four division one players like they've had in the past, but they do have some good skilled athletes. A talented quarterback that’s involved in everything they do," Simcox said. "We have to avoid going three and out. If we can keep our defense rested and off the field, then I think we'll do well."

Park Hill South hopes to continue firing on all cylinders after an all-around solid performance against the Belton Pirates last week. South took a modest 14-0 lead into halftime on the heels of two Craig Scott touchdown receptions. Scott finished the game with four receptions for 63 yards. The flood gates opened though at the beginning of the third quarter when Sola, known for his speed and agility turned the heat up with a touchdown run spanning nearly half the field. Sola finished with 42 yards rushing and 72 yards passing. South’s tailback, Myles Hammons, wasn’t able to quench his end zone thirst against the Pirates, but was a major part of the Panther offense as he racked up 142 yards rushing on 28 carries.

"They had seven or eight guys going each way compared to us just having one and I think they just lost steam in the second half," Simcox said.

The ensuing possession gave the Panthers defense their chance to shine as Nick Gillespie intercepted a Belton pass and returned for it for a touchdown putting South up 28-0 early in the second half. The Panthers defense tacked on a safety when a group of players took down a Pirates back in the end zone at the beginning of what would eventually be a relatively quiet fourth quarter increasing the score to 30-0 leaving South with an impressive opening week victory.