Week 9: Battle of the Plattes

DEARBORN, Mo (News-Press NOW) -- The North Platte versus West Platte rivalry runs deep, with this rendition of the rivalry matchup meaning more than ever.

In this game between the 5-3 North Platte Panthers and the 5-3 West Platte Blue Jays will be a deciding factor in who secures the top overall seed in class one district six.

In the last five matchups, the blue jays have a narrow edge over the panthers, winning three of the last five. The blue jays also hold the all-time record at 12 wins and six losses against the Panthers.

The Panthers are on a two game losing streak with losses to the Mid-Buchanan Dragons and the Lawson Cardinals, and head coach Jared Quigley said the team needs to focus on limiting mistakes that they can't make against good football teams like West Platte.

"Both the last two weeks, we've made some mistakes at key moments in the games that we can't make when we play good football teams," Quigley said. "They're a good football team. So if we're going to pull it out tomorrow night, we really gotta make sure that we're taking care of us and playing our best football."

Limiting mistakes can be difficult with rain in the forecast for Friday night's game, coach Quigley said he is looking for his guys in the trenches to step up.

"I'm hoping that we can step up on the offensive line, they have some really good size up front," Quigley said. "I'm leaning on my offensive and defensive line."

One of the key players on both the offensive and defensive line for the Panthers is senior captain Cameron Wortham. The six-foot-two lineman is the anchor of both lines. Wortham said the defense needs to come ready to play and to trust in their coaches.

"We just got to come play here, come prepared and play," Wortham said. "We got to do things right and trust our coaches. They'll put us in the right spots."

As a senior this could be the last time Wortham plays the blue jays, and he made it clear that this rivalry means a lot to him.

"This is my favorite week. I can't stand those dudes," Wortham said. "I don't like losing to them."

That energy is the same in Weston, Mo at West Platte High School, where the blue jays are on a two game winning streak and looking to win their second straight game against the panthers.

Blue jays senior quarterback and captain Jhett Chandler says this rivalry game is always the toughest game on the schedule, but the motivation of keeping the tobacco stick at home is more than enough motivation.

"It's the most heated game, like in the sense of you want to beat them," Chandler said. "We love bringing the tobacco stick home."

Blue jays head coach Taylor Gallagher says this game is always close, no matter how good or bad either team is, and with major playoff implications on the line, it means a lot more.

"Over the years, whether one team is really good, one team is really bad or both teams are good or both teams are bad, it's always close," Gallagher said. "Obviously the district and playoff implications make it a little bit more serious."

With rain in the forecast and playing in a hostile environment in Dearborn, Mo, blue jays senior linebacker and captain Alex Allison said the defense is going to need to adapt.

"I just want to see us handle adversity," Allison said. "I know that if we can still do what we do defensively, we should be fine."

North Platte will be looking to bring the tobacco stick back to Dearborn while West Platte is looking to keep the tobacco stick right where it is.

It is going to be a battle on Friday night so be sure to tune in to News-Press NOW's Sportszone at 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, for the highlights from this game.