In rematch of 2014 thriller, Park Hill and Fort Osage collide in Missouri football quarterfinal
Throughout the football season, the Park Hill seniors have opportunities to address their teammates. The short-and-sweet speeches revolve around a variety of topics, and on a recent occasion, the Trojans’ coaches requested the seniors talk about a top football memory.
A common answer popped up.
“There were a lot of plays from that Fort Osage game last year,” Park Hill coach Josh Hood said.
That was the point of the exercise, really. In a 21-20 win against Fort Osage in the Missouri Class 5 quarterfinals last year, Park Hill backup quarterback Jeremiah Benson scored two touchdowns. Hood has since used it as an example of a next-man-up mentality.
An important mantra in 2015.
In a preseason scrimmage, Park Hill lost starting tailback Matt Harris to a season-ending injury. In his place, Zach Neal and Dorian Clayton have combined for 2,046 yards and 23 touchdowns.
On deck is a playoff rematch with Fort Osage. The two teams will meet in the Class 5 quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Friday at Park Hill.
It brings up memories of last year’s quarterfinal for Fort Osage, too, though for entirely different reasons.
Payback, of course.
“It doesn’t matter who we play as long as we’re still playing, but the fact we get to match up against Park Hill again — that’s something the kids are excited about,” Fort Osage coach Ryan Schartz said.
In Class 4, Harrisonville has a similar opportunity with a playoff rematch against Webb City. But while Harrisonville has to flip the result of a game it lost 35-0 last year, Fort Osage knows it was close. It had a game-winning field goal attempt sail wide left in the final seconds.
Fort Osage, 10-1 and led by quarterback Skylar Thompson, and Park Hill, 11-1, have evolved in 2015. Both coaches are quick to cite the differences they expect in Friday’s rematch. But they expect at least one similarity, too.
“It’s going to be close,” Schartz said. “It might come down to the final possession again.”
This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 7:07 PM with the headline "In rematch of 2014 thriller, Park Hill and Fort Osage collide in Missouri football quarterfinal."