Small Player, Big Impact: John Skolarski Is Rewriting The Record Books At Ozark

by Janice Penix

Ozark’s John Skolarski finished the football season with a bang, rushing for 312 yards and three touchdowns in the first round of the state playoffs.

His 99-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run and two-point conversion put his team within two points of a win and set two new school records … all while playing with a double-sprained ankle.

And the best news for Hillbilly fans? Skolarski is just a sophomore.

“He’s the type of kid you don’t get very often,” Ozark Coach Josh Watson said. “His speed and vision is incredible.”

Record Setter

At 5-foot-8 and 158 pounds, Skolarski is nowhere near the biggest player on the team. But his impact has far exceeded his physical size.

He set 12 new Ozark High School records this season. Offensively, he recorded a total of 2,089 yards, averaging 189.9 yards per game. As a running back, he rushed for 1,667 yards and 22 touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 148 yards.

Skolarski also spent time at the quarterback position, where he completed eight passes for 274 and three touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 39 tackles, picked off two interceptions, broke up two passes and had one fumble recovery.

He was recently selected as a 2025 Sophomore All-State Running Back by Prep Redzone.

While Skolarski’s athletic ability is indisputable, his coach attributes his success to his unmatched work ethic.

“John’s an extremely hard worker, considering how naturally talented he is,” Watson said. “A lot of players who have that natural talent aren’t your hardest workers, but he is. He’s more athletic than everybody, but also one of the hardest workers. That’s an added dimension you don’t always get, especially with a player so young.”

Growth As A Player

Now 16, Skolarski began playing football in Ozark’s youth league when he was in elementary school.

“When I was little, I played with all my friends in little league,” he said. “I’ve always been pretty fast, so that’s where it all started. My family’s always been big into football, and I love being competitive. I’m a competitive guy, and I just loved the sport. I love playing with my friends.”

At an early age, he followed in the footsteps of two of his uncles who played quarterback for the Hillbillies.

“I played running back at first, then in sixth grade I started playing quarterback,” Skolarski said. “In seventh grade I played quarterback, but when I moved up into eighth grade I moved back to running back and I liked it a lot. So I just kept rotating those two positions.”

He said he has worked to improve his performance each year, especially his speed, but also recognizes his abilities are gifts not to be taken for granted…The full story appears in the Dec. 10 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.

John Skolarski (photo courtesy Wanda Gage)