Ozark Falls At Bauxite In Playoff Thriller
by Bronson Ruston
In a game filled with momentum swings, record-breaking plays, and an emotional pause for an injured player, the Ozark Hillbillies came up just short Friday night, Nov. 14, falling to the Bauxite Miners 28-26 in a heart-stopping opening round 4A state playoff contest.
Bauxite struck first, intercepting an Ozark pass, then connecting on a long touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead.
Ozark took over at its 33, moving the ball to the Bauxite 16, before a fumble would end the promising drive.
The Hillbilly defense held strong, forcing a punt. Following the return by Colten Rosson and personal foul penalty on the Miners, Ozark took over at the Bauxite 39. Easton Fox capped the short drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The conversion failed, and Ozark trailed 7-6 early in the second quarter.
Caeden Rosson got a great short hop on his onside kick, and Bryar Brotherton recovered at the Miner 33. John Skolarski capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The conversion failed, but Ozark led 12-7 midway through the second quarter.
The Miners answered, pulling back ahead 14-12 with three minutes remaining in the first half. Ozark nearly responded before the break, driving 65 yards before turning the ball over on downs at the Bauxite four-yard line with just seconds remaining.
Bauxite extended its lead to 21-12 early in the third quarter. Ozark answered with a 33-yard scoring run by Skolarski. The conversion failed, and Ozark trailed 21-18.
Bauxite added another touchdown run, pushing the lead to 28-18 late in the third quarter.
Following an Ozark punt, Bauxite moved to the Hillbilly 10. The Hillbilly defense rose to the occasion, stopping the Miners three times inside the four-yard line, with Skolarski and Cade Capp combining for a stop at the two on fourth down.
Skolarski provided the game’s most electrifying moment, breaking free for a 99-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter – the longest rush in school history. The touchdown was his 29th of the season, setting another program record. His conversion cut the deficit to 28-26 with 10 minutes remaining.
The Miners again moved deep into Ozark territory, and again the Hillbilly defense didn’t break, with Deacon Gage breaking up a pass attempt on fourth down at the goal line.
Ozark took over at their 16, with six minutes remaining. Fox moved the ball to the 42 on a tough run. Bauxite’s Emery Moore collapsed following the play. The game was stopped for 20 minutes while he was stabilized and the officials waited for another ambulance to arrive.
The Ozark and Bauxite players, coaches, staff and the officiating crew prayed together on the field, before resuming play with 3:50 remaining and Ozark having possession at their 42.
The Hillbillies moved to the Miners’ 16, but a fumble and Bauxite recovery with 22 seconds left allowed the Miners to run out the clock and escape with the narrow 28-26 win.
Ozark (7-4, 5-2) will graduate 14 seniors who went 21-14, 13-8 during their high school careers. The Hillbillies will return six starters on offense and seven on defense.
For stats see the Nov. 19 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
Photo: Easton Fox (0) scores Ozark’s first touchdown on a one-yard run Friday, Nov. 14, in the Hillbillies’ 28-26 loss at Bauxite in the first round of the 4A state playoffs. Blocking for Fox are Kevin Dunn (52) and JaKsen Ross (53).
–Photo courtesy Wanda Gage
