Panthers fall short in district finale, end season as runner-up

Park Hill South was hitting their stride at the right time as they ended their regular season and went into the postseason. Their number three seed in district play made them an ideal team capable of making some noise in district play by upsetting a team or two. After a 34-23 win over Kearney last Wednesday, the Panthers came up just short of another upset Monday night as they stuck with defending state champions Staley, before falling 31-21 in a highly competitive matchup.

The two battled for two and a half quarters before Staley eventually gained a strong hold control on the game, partially credited to an almost unstoppable offense in short yardage situations.

“We held them a couple times on third and long, but most the rest of the time it was third and short and they kept sustaining the drives,” Park Hill South coach Mark Simcox said.

After looking flat on their first offensive drive, Park Hill South was forced to match the intensity of an early Staley touchdown when they put together a 10 play, 76 yard drive ending with a touchdown run from Myles Hammonds. A failed extra point gave Staley a 7-6 advantage.

The second quarter would follow a similar format as Staley quarterback Trent Hosick would drive his team down the field and cap it off with a touchdown run, the first of three he would have on the night. It would be Park Hill South receiver Craig Scott who would awaken the Panthers’ enthusiasm on the ensuing drive when quarterback Shaefer Schuetz launched a passed that was tipped by a defender, but acrobatically pulled in by Scott, who would scamper 63 yards for a touchdown. A two-point conversion tied the game at 14-14 and brought forward the idea the Panthers might be able to realize their postseason magic once again.

Staley would add a field goal as time expired in the first half to take a 17-14 lead into the locker room.

A nine play, 66-yard drive in the third quarter that concluded with another Hosick rushing touchdown put Staley up 24-14 and seemed to put the Panthers on their heels. With about eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Park Hill South faced a pivotal fourth and two play deep in their own territory. Choosing to go-for-it in hopes of mounting a comeback, the fourth down attempt failed, giving Staley an ample opportunity to extend their lead and put the game out of reach. It took just two plays, as Hosick added his final touchdown of the night and gave Staley a 31-14 lead. Hosick would finish the night with more than 140 yards rushing and 130 passing.

“We were inconsistent in the run game tonight. Offensively, if we can throw it, we can run it, but we have to be able to do both,” Simcox said. “They’ve got some good players (Staley), they’re a good team.”

Park Hill South’s Kyle Reardon would catch a touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late as Staley went on to win 31-21.

Park Hill South ends the year with a 7-4 record.

“One of the things we try to tell them is to try to have them take something away with them other than just football,” Simcox said. “We always want to win the last game, but there’s only one team that can do that.”