Skolarski’s 334 yards power Ozark’s fourth-quarter surge past Lamar
Ozark 42, Lamar 22
Ozark 42, Lamar 22
LAMAR — John Skolarski rushed for 334 yards and three touchdowns as Ozark scored 20 unanswered fourth-quarter points to defeat Lamar 42-22 Friday night in a 4A-4 conference opener between previously unbeaten teams.
Skolarski carried 22 times and added a 38-yard reception. Easton Fox supplied 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, helping the Hillbillies finish with 508 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Ozark improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play; Lamar stands 3-1 and 0-1.
Lamar’s opening possession included a 20-yard run by Grady Marvel and a third-down reception by Brailon Carr. Ozark eventually stopped a fourth-and-20 completion at its own 9, short of the first down. The Warriors answered by stopping Fox on fourth-and-two, taking over at the Hillbillies’ 39.
Kasen Humphrey picked up a first down from a direct-snap formation during Lamar’s ensuing possession. Kendrick Carr finished the drive by taking a handoff around the left side for a touchdown. Humphrey’s two-point run gave the Warriors an 8-0 lead they carried through the first quarter.
On defense, Marvel stopped Skolarski for a loss, and Tucker Williams helped contain an Ozark reverse. The Hillbillies eventually answered with 22 points in the final 3:29 of the half.
Skolarski scored Ozark’s first touchdown and ran for the tying two-point conversion. His second touchdown run put the Hillbillies ahead 14-8 with 2:11 remaining. Jace Cowell helped stop the ensuing conversion attempt.
Fox scored with 12 seconds left before halftime, and Cooper Perrin caught the two-point pass to extend Ozark’s lead to 22-8.
Lamar’s defense immediately changed the game after intermission. Kendrick Carr intercepted a fourth-and-five pass and returned it for a touchdown. Humphrey supplied another two-point run, cutting the deficit to 22-16.
Brailon Carr added an interception later in the quarter. The Warriors kept Ozark scoreless throughout the third and completed their comeback when quarterback Karsten Schluterman connected with Brailon for a touchdown with 51 seconds remaining. Ozark broke up the two-point pass, leaving the teams tied 22-22.
The Hillbillies reclaimed the lead on Easton Sampley’s short fourth-quarter touchdown run. Lamar stopped the conversion attempt to keep the margin at 28-22. Sampley continued taking snaps under center as Ozark used the T formation to get the ball to Skolarski and Fox.
Skolarski broke a 61-yard touchdown run, his third scoring carry of the night. Another unsuccessful two-point attempt left Ozark ahead 34-22.
The Hillbillies’ defense followed with a fourth-down stop near midfield. Fox finished the ensuing scoring drive with his second rushing touchdown and added the two-point conversion, completing Ozark’s 20-point fourth quarter.
Fox also contributed seven tackles, including two for loss and a sack. Perrin and Hayden Gilstrap added sacks, while Kanyon Connelly finished with eight tackles.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
Lamar – Kendrick Carr touchdown run (Kasen Humphrey run), Lamar 8, Ozark 0.
2nd Quarter
Ozark – John Skolarski touchdown run (Skolarski run), Ozark 8, Lamar 8.
Ozark – John Skolarski touchdown run (two-point run unsuccessful), Ozark 14, Lamar 8.
Ozark – Easton Fox touchdown run (Cooper Perrin two-point reception), Ozark 22, Lamar 8.
3rd Quarter
Lamar – Kendrick Carr interception return for a touchdown (Humphrey run), Ozark 22, Lamar 16.
Lamar – Brailon Carr touchdown pass from Karsten Schluterman (two-point pass incomplete), Ozark 22, Lamar 22.
4th Quarter
Ozark – Easton Sampley short touchdown run (two-point run unsuccessful), Ozark 28, Lamar 22.
Ozark – John Skolarski 61-yard touchdown run (two-point run unsuccessful), Ozark 34, Lamar 22.
Ozark – Easton Fox touchdown run (Fox run), Ozark 42, Lamar 22.
PLAYERS WHO STOOD OUT
John Skolarski, Ozark — Rushed 22 times for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Added a 38-yard reception for 372 yards from scrimmage. His 61-yard fourth-quarter touchdown extended Ozark’s lead to 34-22.
Easton Fox, Ozark — Rushed 16 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Scored with 12 seconds remaining before halftime and added Ozark’s final touchdown and two-point conversion. Recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
Easton Sampley, Ozark — Scored the fourth-quarter touchdown that broke a 22-22 tie. Took snaps under center during Ozark’s closing touchdown drives.
Kendrick Carr, Lamar — Scored a first-quarter rushing touchdown and returned a third-quarter interception for another touchdown. His interception came on fourth-and-five and helped Lamar cut a 22-8 halftime deficit to 22-16.
Brailon Carr, Lamar — Intercepted a third-quarter pass and caught the tying touchdown from Karsten Schluterman with 51 seconds left in the period. Also converted a third down with a reception during Lamar’s opening drive.