Panthers look to second straight tough opponent

After a tough week one loss last Friday to Fort Osage 28-0, Park Hill South travels to Blue Springs to take on a Wildcat team coming off a convincing 56-13 victory over St. Joe Central. Taking on the second-ranked team in Missouri’s biggest class won’t make things any easier for the Panthers in Week Two. Focus number one will be on a Blue Springs program that has been notorious for their strong running attack, one which was led last week by running back Dalvin Warmack who rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns last week.

“We know they (Blue Springs) are going to be good, physical, and big. I know they have almost everyone back from last year,” Park Hill South coach Mark Simcox. “We have to go in there and do what we do. Right now, we have to fix our things.”

 Despite the struggles in Week One, Simcox believes that if they are able to fix some of their own mistakes, the Panthers see potential opportunities they can take advantage of Friday night.

“There are some things we think we’ll be able to do,” Simcox said. “They’re a different kind of defense. They’re bigger (than Fort Osage), but I’m not sure they’re as active.”

In a rematch of their district finale loss last year to Fort Osage, Park Hill South fell again by the same score of 28-0. The loss featured a Panther defense that was unable to counter the versatility of Fort Osage senior quarterback Steven McBee who went 12-21 passing for 97 yards, but also grinded out 107 yards on 16 carries. McBee scored all three of the Indians’ touchdowns.

With star running back Myles Hammonds out due to injuries, the Panthers were forced to run the ball by committee which did not prove effective. Up against a tough Indian defense which only gave up 81 yards, Park Hill South was only gained two first downs in the first half. Unable to gain any traction in the running game prevented the Panthers from opening up the field to pass to deep threat wide receiver Craig Scott.

"We have to find a way to run it, they're not going to let us throw it to our best two offensive players," Park Hill South coach Mark Simcox. "They're an awfully good defense; we'll see a lot of defenses like that, but not necessarily better than that."

After their defense forced a Panthers four and out on their first drive of the game, the Indians went 60 yards in 11 plays to score the game's first points after a McBee two-yard touchdown run. They added a two point conversion on to make the score 8-0 early in the first quarter.

With an 18-0 lead coming into the second half, McBee put the game's doubt out of mind after a 64-yard touchdown run. Park Hill South fumbled the ensuing kickoff which led to Fort Osage kicker Hayden Baumgartner converting his second field goal of the night off a Panther turnover, extending the lead to its final 28-0.