Ozark Falls Short Against Clinton: Hillbillies Are #3 Seed In State Playoffs
by Bronson Ruston
The Ozark Hillbillies spotted the Clinton Yellow Jackets an early 21-0 lead and could not overcome the deficit in a 52-30 loss to wrap up the regular season on Friday, Nov. 7.
Clinton marched six plays for the game’s first touchdown, taking a 7-0 lead. Ozark moved the ball near midfield before punting. On the next play, Clinton struck with a 73-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-0.
Ozark moved the ball into Yellow Jacket territory, before turning it over on downs. Clinton added its third touchdown on the first play of the second quarter, pushing the Yellow Jackets ahead 21-0.
The Hillbillies mounted a response, leaning on their power run game to move 67 yards, capped by Casey Morland’s nine-yard touchdown run and a John Skolarski conversion, trimming the deficit to 21-8.
Clinton answered, scoring to make its lead 28-8. Ozark fired back with a 63-yard kickoff return by Colten Rosson to the Clinton 36. Skolarski broke free for a 14-yard TD run. Easton Fox added the conversion, closing the gap to 28-16.
Clinton tacked on a 29-yard field goal, expanding the lead to 31-16 with 36 seconds left in the first half. The Hillbillies moved the ball to the Clinton 16 as the first half expired.
Ozark opened the second half with a 12-play drive, capped by Fox’s three-yard touchdown run. The conversion failed, leaving the score 31-22.
The Yellow Jackets pulled away, adding three touchdowns to stretch the lead to 52-22.
The Hillbillies continued to fight. Cade Capp connected with Colten Rosson for a 33-yard touchdown pass, then found Caeden Rosson for the conversion. Despite the effort, Ozark fell 52-30.
Ozark (7-3, 5-2) heads to Bauxite (7-3, 5-2) for first round 4A state playoff action. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. This is the first ever meeting between the Hillbillies and the Miners.
4A-4 Conference Playoff Matchups
Ozark, the number seed from the 4A-3 conference, will travel to Bauxite, the number three seed from the 4A-7 conference, to begin postseason play in the opening round of the Class 4A State Playoffs.
Addressing the team after game, Coach Josh Watson said, “It’s a new season, everyone is 0-0. The number three seed is not a terrible draw for us. Bauxite is a good football team, and if you move on, Mills will probably be waiting in a second-round matchup.”
Dardanelle (10-0, 7-0), the number 1 seed ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, will host Malvern, fifth in the 7-4A. Clinton (9-1, 6-1), the number two seed, will host Fountain Lake, fourth in the 7-4A. Fourth-seeded Pottsville (6-4, 4-3) will head to Blytheville, number three in 3-4A, while fifth-seeded Mena (6-4, 3-4) travels to Hamburg, number two in the 8-4A.
For the rest of the story, including game stats, see the Nov. 12 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
RETURNS KICKOFF–Colten Rosson returns a kickoff 63 yards against Clinton on Friday, Nov. 7. Rosson had four receptions for 94 yards and three kick returns for 98 yards, as well as four tackles in Friday’s game.
–Photo courtesy Wanda Gage
