Skolarski’s burst and Fox’s power carried Ozark past Pottsville

Published On: October 18, 2025Categories: High School, News

Ozark 51, Pottsville 20

OZARK — John Skolarski’s burst and Easton Fox’s power carried Ozark past Pottsville, 51-20, in a 4-4A clash Friday night.

Pottsville (4-3) struck first when quarterback Cort Johnson found receiver Keaton Ashmore on a slant for a 5‑yard score. Ozark (6-1) answered immediately as Fox ripped a 50‑yard touchdown, then added the two‑point run for an 8-6 lead.

From there, the Hillbillies’ multiple looks — dead‑T, power‑I and spread — controlled the tempo. Fox punched in another short TD, and sophomore running back Skolarski flashed top‑end speed with three second‑half touchdowns, including a back‑breaking breakaway early in the fourth.

Still, the Apaches kept swinging. Johnson worked the perimeter with Ashmore and Noah Metcalf, and receiver Kai Mahan’s jet sweep cut the deficit to 16-14. Johnson later capped a 60‑yard march with a 1‑yard keeper to pull within 22-20 before Ozark’s defense turned up the heat with relentless edge pressure.

Pottsville’s skill players produced in space, but Ozark flipped the field with a pivotal red‑zone interception and timely quarterback keepers by Cade Capp to keep chains moving. Colten Rosson was active on returns and in coverage, while Casey Morland handled kicking duties.

For Pottsville, Johnson’s poise and Ashmore’s run‑after‑catch ability sparked an offense that hit explosives against an aggressive front. Mahan’s versatility and linebacker/running back Kaleb Stancil’s tough inside yards stood out in a physical game. Ozark’s front added timely sacks and tackles for loss that stalled drives, and both teams remain in postseason contention with pivotal conference dates still ahead.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Pottsville – Keaton Ashmore 5-yard pass from Cort Johnson (kick failed), Pottsville 6-0.
Ozark – Easton Fox 50-yard run (2-pt run), Ozark 8-6.

2nd Quarter
Ozark – Easton Fox 1-yard run (2-pt run), Ozark 16-6.
Pottsville – Kai Mahan 2-yard run (2-pt run), Ozark 16-14.
Ozark – John Skolarski short run (2-pt pass failed), Ozark 22-14.

3rd Quarter
Pottsville – Cort Johnson 1-yard run (2-pt run failed), Ozark 22-20.
Ozark – John Skolarski 3-yard run (Fox 2-pt run), Ozark 30-20.

4th Quarter
Ozark – John Skolarski breakaway run (2-pt run), Ozark 38-20.
Ozark – John Skolarski 24-yard run (2-pt pass failed), Ozark 44-20.
Ozark – Easton Fox short run (Casey Morland kick), Ozark 51-20.