Ozark Overcomes Fervent Lamar Comeback
by Bronson Ruston
Ozark built a 28-7 halftime lead, then had to hold off a Lamar fourth-quarter comeback to preserve a 48-42 win over the Warriors on Senior Night at Hillbilly Stadium Friday, Nov. 1.
Koby Wilbanks wasted little time putting Ozark in the lead, bolting 73 yards on the Hillbillies’ second play for a touchdown. Caiden Rosson blasted in for the two-point conversion, giving the Hillbillies an 8-0 advantage.
Ozark pushed their lead to 14-0 on the first play of the second quarter on a three-yard touchdown run by Eli Gilstrap. The extra point attempt was blocked by the Warriors.
The Hillbillies continued to dominate the early going, forcing Lamar to punt for the third straight series.
Ozark took advantage of great field position following a short Lamar punt, setting up shop at the Warriors 48-yard line. Wilbanks picked up 11 yards on first down, then sprinted in from 37 yards out for a touchdown. Wilbanks followed with the two-point conversion for a 22-0 lead.
Lamar was able to move the ball through the air on its fourth drive, with quarterback Caleb Green hitting two long passes before Cason West scored with a 10-yard run on the ground, cutting the deficit to 22-8.
The Hillbillies took over with 4:45 remaining in the first half, looking to put more points on the board before the half. Ozark moved the ball across midfield on a Gilstrap run. Wilbanks followed with a pair of pass completions to Colten Rosson and Easton Fox, moving the ball inside the 25. Two plays later, Fox hauled in a 24-yard touchdown reception from Wilbanks. The two-point attempt failed, making the Ozark lead 28-7 at the intermission.
Lamar’s defense held Ozark to a punt on the second half’s first possession. The Warriors offense struck first in the second half, cutting the lead in half at 28-14 with a 16-yard run by Caiden Woods and PAT kick by Luis Balmer.
Gilstrap returned the ensuing kickoff for 40 yards to midfield. The Hillbillies used three plays to reach paydirt. Casey Morland hauled in a pass from Wilbanks, then Gilstrap bulled his way to the five-yard line. Wilbanks carried the ball in from there for a touchdown. The two-point attempt failed and Ozark led 34-14.
The Warriors answered quickly, reaching the end zone with a 20-yard pass from Green to Kendrick Carr to cut the score to 34-20, but the extra point was no good.
Lamar followed with great kick coverage, pinning Ozark at its own 17-yard line to start their drive. The Hillbillies moved the ball downfield on runs from Gilstrap and Wilbanks, chewing up over six minutes of the clock. Wilbanks finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown plunge, then added the two-point conversion for a 42-20 lead.
The Warriors took over with 7:38 remaining in the game. Lamar ran a reverse pass of their second play, with Green handing off to Boen, who completed a 56-yard touchdown pass to Eli Jones. The two-point attempt failed, making the score 42-26…
To read the full story see the Nov. 6 edition of The Graphic, found online and in businesses throughout Johnson and Franklin counties.
EVADES—Lamar’s Kaz Crotts evades a pair of Ozark defenders, including Eli Gilstrap (left) and Lawson Wright, as he rushes for yards in the Warriors conference game against the Hillbillies on Friday, Nov. 1.
–Photo courtesy Julie Moore
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RETURNS—Ozark’s Koby Wilbanks (13) returns a punt for 59 yards as Lamar’s Eli Jones (5) and Cameron Smith (54) try to make a tackle during a conference game on Friday, Nov. 1.
–Photo courtesy Wanda Gage
