Posted on Tue, Nov. 24, 2009 10:15 PM
Defense makes difference for Fort Osage
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As a swarm of fans rushed their home field, Fort Osage football coach Ryan Schartz addressed his charged-up team.
This wouldn’t be a long speech. Fort Osage had just defeated Raytown South 13-6 last Friday to advance to the Missouri Class 5 state finals for the first time in school history, and there was much celebrating to do.
But Schartz had a message he wanted to convey, particularly to his defense.
“I want to tell the defense right now that you played one heck of a football game,” Schartz yelled. “You’re the reason we won this game.”
Indeed. While its offense struggled to finish drives, Fort Osage’s defense managed to make a 7-point halftime lead stand throughout the second half against a Raytown South offense that featured dangerous quarterback Dennis Tanner and had averaged 30 points per game.
“Offensively, we got in the red zone three, maybe four times, and still came away with no points,” Schartz said. “The defense was able to contain Tanner, who’s an unbelievable player, a little bit and keep them out of the end zone.”
It looked like Fort Osage was poised to take a two-touchdown lead when the Indians had a first down at the Cardinals’ 9 late in the fourth quarter. But Raytown South’s defense held firm for three downs, forcing Schartz to make a decision on fourth down at the 19. He could attempt a field goal, which would all but seal the win, or play it safe, run the ball, and let his defense win the game.
He chose the latter.
“I was afraid a bad snap, maybe a blocked kick, could result in six points in a hurry,” Schartz said. “We decided not to take that chance.
Fort Osage turned the ball over on downs, and the Cardinals got the ball back at their 16 with 2:30 left on the clock. And for a while, it appeared Tanner, who made a couple of first-down scrambles, was going to will his team down the field.
But Fort Osage’s defense stepped up one last time, as senior free safety Nathan Hancock intercepted a desperation heave by Tanner to clinch the victory.
Despite the late-game heroics by Fort Osage, the truth is its defense had been stout all game. Afterward, Raytown South coach David Allie lamented the fact his offense had two drives stall deep in Fort Osage territory in the first quarter.
“First quarter, we got inside the 20-yard line twice and couldn’t put it in the end zone,” Allie said. “That’s all the difference right there.”
Now, Fort Osage can look forward to the chance to play for its first state championship. Fort Osage (13-0) will face Webster Groves (12-0) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
“We need to take this state championship home,” Hancock said. “We’re not done yet.”
To reach Terez A. Paylor, call 816-234-4489 or send e-mail to tpaylor@kcstar.com.
Posted on Tue, Nov. 24, 2009 10:15 PM
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