Trojans look to district play after steep loss to Lee's Summit West

It’s not something Park Hill (4-3) football fans want to get used to or see anything similar to anytime soon, but the Trojans’ 49-0 lose to Lee’s Summit West Friday night was the second straight home game in which they were unable to score. This followed a 42-0 lose to Jefferson City two weeks ago in a four week stretch where Park Hill faces three of the state’s top football programs. They’ll find themselves tasked with another tough test this week as they begin district play against the last of those three programs, Class 5’s top ranked program, Staley (7-0).

Staley is coming off a 42-13 victory over Park Hill South Friday. The Trojans defense will look to tame the Falcons’ quarterback-running back combo of Trent Hosik and Morgan Steward who combined for five of Staley’s six touchdowns last week. Steward is coming off an 18 carry, 219 yard performance last week while Hosik passed for 141 yards while running for 134 yards. Park Hill head coach Greg Reynolds said the Falcons are a very good team, but not to count the Trojans out after their lose Friday night.

“I don’t have that stat, but I know for a fact we don’t lose two games in a row too often. Not guaranteeing anything, but I think we’ll come back with a vengeance this week,” Reynolds said.

Park Hill will have plenty of motivation after Friday night’s tough loss to Lee’s Summit West. West jumped on the Trojans early and often as Morgan Strickland put two touchdowns on the board in the Titans first two possessions, one from seven yards out and the other a 15 yard run. He ended the night with 14 carries for 113 yards. When Park Hill was about to stop Lee’s Summit West for the first time, they received the ball deep in their own territory where a Tyler White pass was deflected into the air, intercepted by West’s Jaycie Pearson and returned for a touchdown putting them up 21-0 after the first quarter.

The Titans would score on three of their next four possessions to increase the score to 42-0 at halftime. Park Hill was unable to generate any substantial offensive production in the first half with only 43 total yards and their sole first down coming on the last play before halftime. On the other side of the ball, Lee’s Summit West racked up 270 first half yards. With the game’s outcome fairly evident coming into the second half, Reynolds was looking for something simple out of his team.

“Who doesn’t quit. That’s what I’m looking for. I just want to see kids play hard,” Reynolds said.

Lee’s Summit West would tag on another early second half touchdown before pulling their starters and letting the clock tick away on the 49-0 final score. Reynolds says his team has made progress since the beginning of the season, but because of the role key players have play, injuries to them have plagued the team more than in years past.

“I think we’re lining up better, that part of the game we’re doing alright,” Reynolds said. “This year we’re kind of built around a couple key guys that have not been playing due to injuries. When that happens you have to retool your whole defense.”

While each loss provides the chance to improve, the start of districts this week also allows for a fresh start.

“If you don’t learn something from each lose, then you loss an opportunity to teach a kid something. Everyone wants to talk about 100 wins, but I think I’ve been a better coach the day after from those 36 losses,” Reynolds said in reference to the Trojans record of 12 years. “I told the seniors after the game we’ve got three weeks to decide if we play a fourth week.”