KQ2 Pigskin Preview: Platte Valley hoping to bounce back in 2026

BARNARD, Mo. (KQTV) -- After a 4-6 record in 2025, Platte Valley High School Football said they're looking to learn from their mistakes and lean on senior leadership going into 2026.

Despite their 2025 record, the team turned it around near the end of the season and made the playoffs, though they lost to East Atchison in the first round.

"I think there was a lot of learning. We had a lot of new kids, and we had some injuries that had occurred, and we had to throw some new kids in with that," Head Coach Dallas Giedd shared. "So our group got a lot of experience at a young age last year."

Much of that learning came from student-athletes who are now Senior leaders on this squad, like Quarterback Ridge Clements. Clements bragged about an aspect of this team he feels will help him find targets downfield this season.

"We have a lot of speed; we don't have a lot of size, but we have a lot of speed," Clements said. "So we can really attack the outside and the passing game a little more this year."

That might show in their first test of the season in taking on Pattonsburg at home. The Panthers handed PV a 52-46 loss to open the 2025 season in Pattonsburg,

However, this season, Platte Valley gets the Panthers at home to start 2026. That game will take place on Friday, August 28, at 7:00 pm.