By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
COLUMBIA- A historic season for the North Platte Panthers football team came to an end Friday afternoon, falling to Marionville 29-0 in the Class 1 State Championship game at Memorial Stadium at Faurot Field in Columbia.
Marionville struck first late in the first quarter, consuming nearly nine minutes on their first drive, capping it with an eight-yard rushing touchdown. Late in the second, points were added on a long 34 yard rushing score, pushing score at halftime to 14-0.
Again, the Comets scored late in the third quarter on a one-yard rush, extending the lead again. The final score came late in the fourth quarter, Marionville breaking a 67-yard rush, pushing the lead to 27-0 before converting a two-point conversion.
North Platte quarterback Colton Kirkham was just 2 of 10 through the air in his final game as a Panther but was effective with his legs rushing 23 times for 84 yards.
After finishing last season with their first winning record since 2011, the Panthers put together an impressive season, recording their most wins since the 1998 season when they earned the first district title in school history.
North Platte finishes the season 12-2.
