Ozark Outlasts Mena in Double OT Thriller

by Bronson Ruston

The Ozark Hillbillies spoiled Mena’s homecoming on Friday, Oct. 10, with a thrilling 36-28 double-overtime victory, improving to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play.

Ozark jumped on the board first when Colten Rosson hauled in a 49-yard touchdown from John Skolarski. Easton Fox converted a two-point attempt from a swinging-gate snap by Spencer Gresham to make it 8-0.

Mena answered with a 14-play scoring drive. Skolarski picked off the two-point attempt, and Ozark led 8-6.

The Hillbillies responded as Cade Capp ripped off a 40-yard run, setting up an 11-yard touchdown reception by Skolarski from Capp. The conversion failed, but Ozark led 14-6.

The Bearcats tied the game 14-14 with another long drive and two-point conversion.

The Hillbillies took over at the Mena 35, following an onside kick attempt and Bearcat penalty. Skolarski scored on the first play, breaking free down the sideline. The conversion failed, and Ozark went to halftime with a 20-14 advantage.

The second half was a defensive struggle. Mena tied the game with a touchdown after an Ozark turnover. Blaine Childers blocked the extra point kick, keeping the score tied at 20-20 late in the third quarter.

Mena’s chance to take the lead near the end of regulation ended when a 34-yard field-goal attempt went wide left, sending the game to overtime. Ozark won the coin toss and chose to go on defense first.

In the first overtime, Mena scored and converted to go up 28-20. Skolarski answered with a touchdown and powered in the conversion to knot it at 28-28…The full story appears in the Oct. 15 edition of The Graphic, found online and in businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. 

BREAKS FREE–Colten Rosson breaks free from a Mena defender for a 49-yard touchdown on Friday, Oct. 10. Rosson also made a game-ending interception in overtime.

–Photo courtesy Wanda Gage