A rematch of last year’s Class 4 title game will determine who gets the opportunity to play for this year’s Class 5 championship.
Webb City (11-1) hosts Platte County (11-1) at 1:30 on Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium in a semifinal clash of the Missouri Class 5 state football tournament.
Saturday’s winner advances to the championship game, where they’ll meet either Jackson (12-0) or Fort Zumwalt North (11-1) at 1 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City.
The Cardinals hammered the Pirates 48-0 in last year’s Class 4 championship game in Columbia.
“There’s no question they’re a better football team than they were a year ago,” Webb City coach John Roderique said of the Pirates. “They have several guys back from last year and I’m sure they are a year better. They’re a really good team with a high-powered offense.”
Webb City is in the semifinals for the 19th time in Coach Roderique’s 24 seasons. This year’s trip is the program’s 12th semifinal appearance in the last 13 years.
“We’ve had some memorable Saturday games at our place for sure,” Roderique said. “There’s something special about playing a home game the week of Thanksgiving at Cardinal Stadium. And being able to play at this stage of the season is the biggest part of it. We’re just pleased to still be alive in the playoffs.”
Webb City advanced to the Final Four with last Friday’s 42-14 win over Lebanon. (Big third quarter leads Webb City past Lebanon, Cards advance to semifinals)
Platte County advanced to the semifinals by knocking off Grain Valley 31-28. The Pirates overcame a 14-point halftime deficit and scored 17 unanswered points in the second half. Cole Rhoden connected on a 43-yard field goal that ended up the game-winner.
Pirates quarterback Chris Ruhnke completed 22-of-42 pass attempts for 327 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Colby Rollins had 103 receiving yards with one score, while Carter Salzman (63 yards), Dayton Mitchell (51 yards) and Joey Schultz (49 yards) all had multiple receptions.
The Pirates didn’t have much success on the ground, as they ran 22 times for just 23 yards. Cayden Davis’ 20 rushing yards were a team-high.
Grain Valley (10-2) finished with 365 yards, with 229 passing and 136 rushing, but the Platte County defense held the Eagles scoreless in the second half after surrendering 28 first-half points.
A Northwest Missouri recruit, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Ruhnke recently became his program’s all-time passing leader, as he’s currently at 5,673 career passing yards.
“Their quarterback makes them go,” Roderique said. “He’s the best quarterback we’ve seen all year. They spread you out and throw it all over the place. They have several weapons at receiver and they have a good running game. They give you a lot to defend. They do a lot of good things offensively.”
Winners of eight straight games, Platte County is averaging 35 points per game and allowing just 15.
“Defensively, they play really hard and they tackle well and look fundamentally sound,” Roderique said. “They’re really aggressive and fast on defense.”
Platte County’s lone loss came to North Kansas City, 42-37, in Week 4.
Winners of 11 straight games, Webb City is averaging 42 points per game and allowing 15.
The Cardinals average 290 rushing yards and 64 passing yards per game.
A Kansas State recruit, senior running back Devrin Weathers has rushed for 1,590 yards and has scored 27 touchdowns. Junior Dupree Jackson has rushed for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns, while senior quarterback Cole Gayman has 553 rushing yards with eight scores.
Gayman has passed for 787 yards and seven touchdowns. Top receivers are Cohl Vaden (245 yards), Gary Clinton (224 yards) and Mekhi Garrard (182 yards).
Defensive leaders for the Cardinals are Treghan Parker (106 tackles), Matt McDaniel (78 tackles), Brayden Hollingsworth (75 tackles) and Jaystin Smith (59 tackles). Parker, Shane Noel and Eli Goddard have four interceptions apiece.
Cameron Clark has knocked in 59-of-65 PAT kicks, while Cooper Crouch is averaging 36 yards per punt.
THEY MEET AGAIN
In last year’s meeting, the Cardinals led 28-0 at halftime and then added three second-half touchdowns in the lopsided victory that gave Webb City its 15th state championship.
Webb City ran all over the Pirates, as the Cardinals racked up 412 yards on 42 attempts.
On the other hand, Platte County was limited to 62 rushing yards. Ruhnke completed 13-of-29 passes for 121 yards.
Webb City beat Platte County 21-18 in the 2017 semifinals in what was the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
THIS ‘N THAT
Webb City is ranked second in Class 5 by the Missouri Media, while Platte County is ranked fifth.
Both schools bumped up to Class 5 this season. And now, one of them will play for a state championship on Dec. 5.
CLASS 5 SEMIFINAL: PLATTE COUNTY AT WEBB CITY
WHEN: 1:30 p.m. on Saturday
WHERE: Webb City’s Cardinal Stadium
RECORDS: Platte County 11-1, Webb City 11-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE: The winner advances to the Class 5 championship game against either Jackson or Fort Zumwalt North on Dec. 5 in Jefferson City.
HOW’D THEY GET HERE: Platte County defeated Grain Valley 31-28 in the quarterfinals, while Webb City handled Lebanon 42-14.
LAST MEETING: Webb City defeated Platte County 48-0 in last year’s Class 4 championship game in Columbia.
TICKETS: Tickets are $7. Kids 5 and under are admitted free. There are no capacity limits. Gates open at noon and masks are required upon entry.
HOW TO LISTEN: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/webbcity/
HOW TO WATCH: https://www.mshsaa.tv/?B=209739 ($10 fee)
