Skolarski, Ozark Ground Game Power Hillbillies Past Maumelle
Ozark 36, Maumelle 14
MAUMELLE — Ozark rushed for 356 yards and used three touchdowns from junior John Skolarski to defeat Maumelle 36-14 in Friday’s season opener.
Ozark established its running game immediately. Skolarski scored on his first carry, and quarterback Cade Capp found Cooper Perrin for the two-point conversion to make it 8-0.
Maumelle answered on its opening possession. Quarterback Levi Warrior stood in against pressure and delivered a touchdown pass to sophomore Isaac Warrior, who made the catch in traffic. The extra point cut Ozark’s lead to 8-7.
The Hillbillies then put together an 18-play drive that ended with Easton Fox scoring from 2 yards. Maumelle stopped the conversion, leaving Ozark ahead 14-7.
Skolarski supplied the biggest play before halftime, breaking a 72-yard touchdown run to extend the advantage to 20-7. Maumelle created another opportunity when Jaden Baker recovered an Ozark fumble, but the Hillbillies carried the 13-point lead into halftime.
Maumelle opened the third quarter with its best drive of the second half. Levi Warrior completed passes to Isaac Warrior and Amir Armour, then scrambled to the 1. Winchell Wiggins scored from there and the extra point made it 20-14.
Ozark answered immediately. Skolarski broke loose for approximately 65 yards and another touchdown, and Capp ran in the conversion for a 28-14 lead.
Maumelle later drove into Ozark territory before the Hillbillies stopped a fourth-down pass. Ozark then leaned on Skolarski, Fox and its offensive front to control possession.
Capp completed the scoring with a 2-yard quarterback sneak with 1:09 remaining.
Ozark finished with 388 total yards, including 356 rushing on 49 attempts. Maumelle’s Levi Warrior completed 9 of 19 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Ozark – John Skolarski rushing touchdown (Cade Capp pass to Cooper Perrin), Ozark 8-0
Maumelle – Isaac Warrior touchdown reception from Levi Warrior (PAT good), Ozark 8-7
2nd Quarter
Ozark – Easton Fox 2-yard touchdown run (two-point run failed), Ozark 14-7
Ozark – John Skolarski 72-yard touchdown run (two-point run failed), Ozark 20-7
3rd Quarter
Maumelle – Winchell Wiggins 1-yard touchdown run (PAT good), Ozark 20-14
Ozark – John Skolarski approximately 65-yard touchdown run (Cade Capp run), Ozark 28-14
4th Quarter
Ozark – Cade Capp 2-yard quarterback sneak (two-point run good), Ozark 36-14
Players Who Stood Out
John Skolarski, Ozark — Over 200 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. His scoring runs included 72- and approximately 65-yard touchdowns, giving Ozark two immediate explosive answers.
Easton Fox, Ozark RB/DE — 17 carries for 80 yards and 1 touchdown. His 2-yard second-quarter score completed Ozark’s 18-play drive and made it 14-7.
Cade Capp, Ozark QB/OLB — Scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak, threw the first-quarter two-point conversion to Cooper Perrin and ran in another two-point conversion after Skolarski’s third-quarter touchdown.
Levi Warrior, Maumelle QB/FS — 9-of-19 passing for 123 yards and 1 touchdown. His touchdown pass to Isaac Warrior answered Ozark’s opening score, and his third-quarter run put Maumelle at the 1 before Wiggins scored.
Isaac Warrior, Maumelle WR/FS — 5 catches for 65 yards and 1 touchdown, including Maumelle’s first-quarter touchdown reception while Levi Warrior was hit on the throw.