“They have had some early success, they beat Lee’s Summit North,” head coach Mark Simcox said. “I’m sure they’ll be up to the challenge of us for sure.”
If you got caught in traffic on the way out to Independence to watch Park Hill South play William Chrisman last Friday night, you may have missed the opening act of what would eventually be a first half that can only be described as the Craig Scott Show. In the first four minutes of the game Scott had a 15 and 81-yard touchdown catches. He would add two more on two-yard and 17-yard touchdown receptions in the first half edging the score to 28-0 before Chrisman was able to put a long drive and score on the board to make it 28-6 going into the locker room
“We trust we can throw it up to him or at least know the other guy won’t get it. When we can do that, it makes a big difference. He understands in order for us to be successful, we have to run the ball and control the clock,” Simcox said. “He’s going to get about four or five plays every game and he has to take advantage of them.”
Scott finished the night with 133 yards receiving on five receptions.
“It feels pretty good, like a dream almost,” “You just have to go into every game looking to do whatever you can do and help out however you can,” Scott said of his career night.
Chrisman had several close scoring opportunities they were unable to convert on throughout the game and the score remained unchanged going into the fourth quarter before Bears running back DeMarco Hill scampered 42-yard run to give Chrisman a glimmer of hope at a comeback. But those were all but dismissed after a time-killing drive capped off with a six yard touchdown run from Jalen Ross and a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown by South’s Dylan Worth on the ensuing Bear’s possession increased the lead to 42-12. Hill ripped off a 66-yard touchdown run in the game’s final seconds to narrow the final margin to 42-18 and complete a Park Hill South victory.
“We came out real well, we’ve been preaching that,” Simcox said. “We weren’t as disciplined on defense as I would have liked. Had a little flat spot in the second quarter with that drive which sticks in my throat the most.”
While Scott rang up many of the Panthers’ scores Friday night, it was only possible because of William Chrisman’s dedication to stop South’s run attack usually headed by Myles Hammonds. With such a commanding lead early in the game, Hammonds was sidelined for precautionary reasons, so the running duties were left to a committee of backs that were still able to rack up 198 yards on 41 carries.
“We wanted for them to save some gas in the tank, especially when we had some guys that need experience and deserve the chance to play,” Simcox said.
It’s a balance South has been working for, one which focuses on a strong running game, and then allows them to strike with the pass as defenses begin to concentrate their efforts too much. Against Chrisman, they noticed a strong focus at the line of scrimmage.
“Our plan was still to do what we do, but when they do what they were doing on offense, we’re not going to just run into nine guys in the box,” Simcox said.
Although South experienced being banged up injury-wise at different parts of the game, one of the more serious injuries came at the end of the second quarter when linebacker Robert Lane came shaken off the field. He was later carted out of the stadium and taken to a hospital. Immediate information was not available, but it was believed to be a concussion situation.
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