Backup quarterback propels Park Hill to thrilling football victory over Fort Osage

Emotions were understandably high for Park Hill quarterbacks Tyler Holmes and Jeremiah Benson following the Trojans’ thrilling 21-20 comeback victory over Fort Osage on Friday in a Missouri Class 5 quarterfinal game.

With 9 seconds remaining, Park Hill had to wait to see if Fort Osage would make a 22-yard field goal. When the ball sailed wide left in the chilly night air, the Park Hill home crowd went into a frenzy.

The victory puts Park Hill, 12-0, into the state semifinals against the Nixa-Carthage winner. Fort Osage finished its season 11-1.

“There are no words for it,” Holmes said. “It is unbelievable. This team has shown so much heart throughout this season and throughout this game. I am proud of them.”

Drama occurred 4 minutes into the game after an impressive start by both teams. Holmes, the Trojans’ starting quarterback, left the game with an ankle injury when he was sacked.

“It is hard sitting after playing the whole year,” Holmes said. “But to watch the resiliency of this team was amazing. The defense played amazing and the offense played amazing. They played their hearts out and left it on the field.

“There is nothing more I want than to get back out with those guys. “I am going to do everything possible to be back next week.”

The game was tied 7-7 at the time of Holmes’ injury. Park Hill struggled on offense the rest of the first half and went into halftime trailing 17-7.

Midway through the third quarter, Benson found his rhythm. He scored a touchdown in the third quarter and another in the fourth quarter.

“It is that simple; it was our O-line,” Benson said. “We fell apart in the first half. I threw two interceptions. That was unacceptable. We went into halftime and the O-line got in my face and told me you got to step up.”

The go-ahead touchdown came on a 34-yard run by Benson with 8:37 left in the game. The extra point by sophomore Parker Sampson gave Park Hill a 21-20 lead.

“He is an athlete,” Holmes said, of Benson. “He has gotten reps during the season. He didn’t miss a beat tonight. He started off a little bit slow, but when he got going, he got going. It was phenomenal.”

Benson was hurt on the go-ahead scored and missed the final 8 minutes. But the Trojans’ defense took care of the rest, preventing Fort Osage from scoring despite the running and passing of junior quarterback Skylar Thompson. He passed for more than 100 yards and rushed for more than 100 yards.

Early in the game, the fans must have wondered if they were going to see a classic.

Twelve seconds into the game, Fort Osage scored on a 94-yard kickoff return by junior Bailey Williamson.

Park Hill came close to matching that impressive run with one of its own. On the Trojans’ first play from scrimmage, junior running back Matt Harris burst through the middle for a 65-yard touchdown.

In 29 seconds, the score was 7-7.

Park Hill appeared to have the momentum when it forced a fumble on Fort Osage’s next drive. Park Hill got the ball at the Indians’ 33-yard line.

Three plays later, senior linebacker Josh Tuimaseve sacked Holmes with a tackle around the ankles. Holmes pounded his fist on the field, an indication he was seriously hurt.

Fort Osage went ahead 10-7 late in the first quarter and added a touchdown late in the second quarter.

“It takes alot to lose your starting quarterback with a sprain ankle and still do the impossible,” Benson said. “We are not done. We are far from done.”

This story was originally published November 14, 2014 at 11:23 PM with the headline "Backup quarterback propels Park Hill to thrilling football victory over Fort Osage."