Platte County raids Helias 49-14 for fourth Show-Me Bowl State Championship: Live updates recap

Pirates complete perfect season as Rocco Marriott passes for 279 yards to guide Platte County to its fourth state title

Platte County running back Adam Gisler carries against Helias in the Missouri Class 5 state title game. / Photo by David Smith

Two high-powered offenses will clash in the Class 5 title game Saturday night at Faurot Field in Missouri.

Jefferson City Helias Catholic (12-1) will have the home-field advantage in terms of proximity with it only being a 30-mile drive north to play at the home of the Missouri Tigers.

However, on paper, undefeated Platte County (13-0) is considered the favorite in this game. The Pirates are seeking their first state title since winning three in a row from 2000 to 2002.

Platte County enters this game with a scoring average of 48.8 points per game, while Helias is at 37.5. The Pirates have scored 40 or more 11 times with a high of 71 against Independence Truman.

Helias posted an eye-popping 90 points in a win over Columbia Hickman in Week 2. 

Both defenses are stingy with Platte County having a slight advantage, giving up 12.5 points per game, while Helias gives up 13.8 yards per game.

Platte County is playing in the state finals at Mizzou for the third time, coming up second in Class 4 in 2019 and then second in Class 5 in 2020.

Helias has won eight in a row since losing 29-22 in overtime against Columbia Rock Bridge on Sept. 27. 

The Crusaders have won a pair of close games to reach this point, winning 24-21 against Republic in the quarterfinal and then a 14-13 triumph over Lafayette Wildwood last week. 

The final berth is the 10th for Helias, which won three — most recently in 2020.

MISSOURI HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD

About Helias Catholic

Key players — RB Brady Fann (70 carries, 340 yards, 14 TDs); QB Austin Weaver (121-for-204, 2,113 yards, 25 TDs; 132 carries, 706 yards, 4 TDs); WR Sam Lopez (27 catches, 436 yards, 7 TDs); LB Eli Homan (118 tackles, 3 sacks); LB Hayden Schlup (106 tackles, 2 sacks); K Nic Calvaruso (10-for-13 FG attempts, 57-for-60 PATs)

About Platte County

Key players — RB Adam Gisler (70 carries, 663 yards rushing, 12 TDs); QB Rocco Marriott (79 carries, 569 yards, 17 TDs; 150-for-221 passing, 2,804 yards, 37 TDs); WR Tres Baskerville (39 catches, 956 yards, 9 TDs); WR Braiden Stevens (42 catches, 789 yards, 14 TDs); K Jackson Goodale (74-for-77 PATs, 4-for-8 FG); S Trevor Hay (43 tackles, 7 INTs); LB Darrell Smith (71 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries)

Follow along below for live updates from the Class 4 Missouri high school school football state championship game, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. CT Friday, Dec. 7

You can also watch Platte County vs. Helias Catholic on MSHSAA.tv (purchase required).

Helias Catholic vs. Platte County, Class 5 championship game live updates

Clear skies, 51 degrees and a light wind at 12 mph out of the southwest as we start this one ... Platte County wins the toss and defers to the second half, Helias will receive.

1ST QUARTER

Platte County gets stop at its own 41 to force a Helias punt, takes over at the Pirate 15 with 10:12 on the clock first quarter.

Back to back big plays in the passing game -- 27 yards to Tres Baskerville and 32 yards to Brooks Hall -- sets up a one-yard touchdown run by Rocco Marriott, Jackson Goodale kick is good ... 7 plays, 85 yards, 2:30 .... Platte County 7, Helias 0, 7:42 1st Quarter

Cobe Pollard intercepts Austin Weaver and gets five yards on the return to set up Platte County at the Cursader 31 7:26 1st quarter.

Another big play in the passing game -- 20 yards to Braiden Stevens -- sets up a strange touchdown, Adam Gisler fumbled prior to crossing the goal line and offensive tackle Owen Rawlings recovers the ball in the end zone for the touchdown, Goodale's kick is good, 3 plays, 31 yards, 1:07 ... Platte County 14, Helias 0, 6:19 1st Quarter

A quick three and out, Crusaders punt to the Platte County 21 and is fumbled, Owen Gipe recovers and Helias has a second chance at the Pirate 22, 4:52 1st quarter.

Another Platte County take away this one in the end zone as Caden McGhee makes a sliding interception of a Weaver pass, Pirates take over at the 20, 4:13 1st quarter.

Big play in the running game as Dayton Doll breaks a 37 yard run and gets caught from behind at the Crusader 27. Marriott adds a 17 yard carry to get it to the Helias 10, Gisler runs for four, a completed pass for one yard and then Marriott gallops in from five yards out on third down to cap the 7 play, 80 yard drive, Goodale's kick is good ... Platte County 21, Helias 0, 1:29 1st Quarter

Marriott's first quarter ... 6 of 6 passing for 107 yards, four carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns.

END OF 1ST QUARTER PLATTE COUNTY 21, JEFFERSON CITY HELIAS 0

Platte County total offense first quarter 211, Helias 49

2ND QUARTER

16 yard punt rolls out of bounds at the Pirate 42, Platte County takes over 10:25 2nd quarter

Marriott lobs a 9-yard touchdown pass to Baskerville into the corner of the end zone as Pirates drive 58 yards in six plays thanks to 30 yards in penalties, Goodale connects on the PAT ... Platte County 28, Helias 0, 8:19 2nd Quarter

Helias punts away the ball ... the fourth Crusader punt during their six possessions in the first half. Platte County defense has held Helias to 56 yards of total offense and two first downs, 6:29 remaining first half.

Helias gets a stop to force a punt and takes over at its own 30 with 3:13 left until halftime.

Five punts on seven possessions for the Crusaders ... Platte County takes over with 1:49 left on the first half clock, three timeouts AND the Pirates get the ball to start the second half.

Marriott on the move -- completions to Lane Webb for 13, Ty Christopher for 11, Braiden Stevens for 12, Tres Baskerville for 22 yards -- has the Pirates at the Helias 12 with :26 seconds remaining and a Platte County timeout.

A tackle for loss and a sack by Easton Lueckenhoff forces the Pirates to use their final timeout ... :11 seconds remaining and the half ends on two incomplete passes.

HALFTIME PLATTE COUNTY 28, JEFFERSON CITY HELIAS 0

Platte County halftime notables ... Junior quarterback Rocco Marriott, 6-4, 210, 14 of 20 passing, 230 yards and a touchdown, 24 yards rushing on seven carries with two touchdowns. Tres Baskerville with four receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown, Braiden Stevens with four catches for 66 yards. Defense paced by Brock Fowler, Rody Hawk and Cale Buntz with two solo tackles each, Archie Wesley has 1 1/2 tackles for loss.

Helias halftime notables ... Junior quarterback Austin Weaver 2 of 7 passing for 27 yards, eight carries for 21 yards, Luke Swan with a catch for 22 yards. Defense led by C.J. Howell with six solo tackles, Easton Lueckenhoff has two sacks, Bryce Allen and Alex Wood shared a sack.

Platte County 315 yards of total offense on 38 plays, 223 pass, 92 rush, 3 of 5 on third down, 0 for 1 on fourth down, 13:32 time of possession.

Helias 64 yards of total offense on 22 plays, 27 pass, 37 rush, 1 for 6 on third down, 10:28 time of possession.

3RD QUARTER

Marriott magic with his legs, a 19 yard run, and then his arm, a 22 yard completion to Baskerville sets up a Dayton Doll three-yard touchdown run to complete a 73 yard, 8 play scoring drive taking 2:19 of the third quarter, Goodale's kick is good ... Platte County 35, Helias 0, 9:37 3rd Quarter

Marriott magic with his legs, a 19 yard run, and then his arm, a 22 yard completion to Baskerville sets up a Dayton Doll three-yard touchdown run to complete a 73 yard, 8 play scoring drive taking 2:19 of the third quarter, Goodale's kick is good ... Platte County 35, Helias 0, 9:37 3rd Quarter

With a 35-point lead ... the non-stop clock rule is in effect and will continue to roll unless there is an injury or timeout called unless Helias scores to bring the lead back under 35 points.

Crusaders convert first fourth down of the game with Weaver tossing to Hoelscher for 14 yards, Crusaders now at the Platte County 34.

Helias snaps the shutout as Weaver drops a deep shot into the hands of Sam Lopez for 33 yards and a touchdown, Nic Calvaruso connects on the PAT ... Platte County 35, Helias 7, 3:18 3rd Quarter

Adam Gisler breaks an 80-yard touchdown run on first play after Helias scores, Goodale boots the extra point ... Platte County 42, Helias 7, 3:05 3rd Quarter

Another big play for Helias, a 63 yard option pitch to C.J. Howell breaks for a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter, Calvaruso's kick is good ... Platte County 42, Helias 14, :00 3rd Quarter

END OF 3RD QUARTER PLATTE COUNTY 42, HELIAS 14

4TH QUARTER

Marriott has two touchdowns running, it was inevitable he would add a second passing and he does with 8:15 remaining in the game connecting with Braiden Stevens for a 25 yard scoring strike, Goodale's kick is good ... Platte County 49, Helias 14, 8:15 4th Quarter

Marriott now 17 of 24 for 279 yards and two touchdowns, 13 carries, 55 yards and two touchdowns.

Bronson Ryan intercepts Austin Weaver at the Helias 42, third interception by Pirate defense ... clock rolling with under six left to play.

FINAL PLATTE COUNTY 49, JEFFERSON CITY HELIAS 14 CLASS 5 SHOW-ME BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP


Platte County earns its fourth state championship (2000, 2001, 2002) and finishes the season with a perfect 14-0 record, the only state champion in Missouri to go undefeated.

Helias finishes the season 12-2 with its seventh runner-up trophy.

Platte County notables ... Junor quarterback Rocco Marriott completes 17 of 24 passes for 279 yards, two touchdowns, added 55 yards on 13 carries with two more scores. Junior running back Adam Gisler had 107 yards rushing on seven carries with a touchdown and Dayton Doll tallied 59 yards on eight carries with a touchdown. Tres Barkersville caught five passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, Braiden Stevens caught five for 91 yards and a touchdown. The Pirate defense had three interceptions and was led by Brock Fowler with five solo tackles and a tackle for loss, Bronson Ryan, Darrell Smith, Brody Hawk, Trevor Hay and Seth White all had three solo tackles each.

Helias notables ... Junior quarterback Austin Weaver was 9 of 18 passing for 105 yards and a touchdown, C.J. Howell had 80 yards rushing and a touchdown and Luke Swan caught two passes for 28 yards. Defensively, the Crusaders were led by C.J. Howell's seven solo tackles, Ben Lanigan added four, Easton Lueckenhoff had two sacks, Hayden Schlup, Luke Swan, Alex Wood and Bryce Allen were credited with a 1/2 sack each.

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-- Cody Thorn | @sblivesports