|
|
|
Ryan Schartz could coach another 50 years and never have to make a gutsier – or more difficult – decision than he did in the fourth quarter of his Indians’ 7-6 state quarterfinal loss to Staley Saturday afternoon at wind-swept Fort Osage.
A trick hook ‘n ladder pass play gave the Indians new life with less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, as Fort Osage had a first down on the Falcons 11.
A six-yard pass from quarterback Steven McBree to his younger brother Jesse gave the Indians second down on the 5.
Steven McBee then carried the ball to the one inch line for a first down and then plowed his way into the end zone to make it 7-6 with 1:20 left in the game.
That’s when Schartz made a decision that will dissected and talked about for weeks to come.
Rather than sending in freshman kicker Hayden Baumgartner to tie the game at 7-all, Schartz called for a two-point play to win the game.
The ball was snapped to McBee, who was swarmed by a host of Falcon tacklers and a dream 10-2 season suddenly came to and end for the Indians.
“We were on the three – three yards from winning the game – and we hadn’t been that close all day until that last series,” Schartz said. “So I decided to go for it.”
And the decision came with the blessing of the elder McBee and Examiner Defensive Player of the Year Tony Tanumai, who switched from his defensive tackle position to give some extra fire power to the offensive line late in the game.
“We hadn’t moved the ball all game until that last series,” McBee said, “so I totally agreed with coach’s call. I agree 100 percent, absoutley.
“And I think it would have worked – but Staley (12-0) defended it perfectly. It was going to be a sweep, with the option to pass and they had the receivers covered and blitzed two guys from both ends. I didn’t have much of a chance to do anything.”
Tanumai and Ryan Stick anchored a Fort Osage defense that allowed just 258 total yards, and rarely left the field.
“I will always have my coach’s back – he’s the best,” Tanumai said. “We played our hearts out. My brothers on this team left it all on the field. I can walk away from a loss with my head held high when we play like we did today. We don’t have anything to be ashamed of.”
Ryan Schartz could coach another 50 years and never have to make a gutsier – or more difficult – decision than he did in the fourth quarter of his Indians’ 7-6 state quarterfinal loss to Staley Saturday afternoon at wind-swept Fort Osage.
A trick hook ‘n ladder pass play gave the Indians new life with less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, as Fort Osage had a first down on the Falcons 11.
A six-yard pass from quarterback Steven McBree to his younger brother Jesse gave the Indians second down on the 5.
Steven McBee then carried the ball to the one inch line for a first down and then plowed his way into the end zone to make it 7-6 with 1:20 left in the game.
That’s when Schartz made a decision that will dissected and talked about for weeks to come.
Rather than sending in freshman kicker Hayden Baumgartner to tie the game at 7-all, Schartz called for a two-point play to win the game.
The ball was snapped to McBee, who was swarmed by a host of Falcon tacklers and a dream 10-2 season suddenly came to and end for the Indians.
“We were on the three – three yards from winning the game – and we hadn’t been that close all day until that last series,” Schartz said. “So I decided to go for it.”
And the decision came with the blessing of the elder McBee and Examiner Defensive Player of the Year Tony Tanumai, who switched from his defensive tackle position to give some extra fire power to the offensive line late in the game.
“We hadn’t moved the ball all game until that last series,” McBee said, “so I totally agreed with coach’s call. I agree 100 percent, absoutley.
“And I think it would have worked – but Staley (12-0) defended it perfectly. It was going to be a sweep, with the option to pass and they had the receivers covered and blitzed two guys from both ends. I didn’t have much of a chance to do anything.”
Tanumai and Ryan Stick anchored a Fort Osage defense that allowed just 258 total yards, and rarely left the field.
“I will always have my coach’s back – he’s the best,” Tanumai said. “We played our hearts out. My brothers on this team left it all on the field. I can walk away from a loss with my head held high when we play like we did today. We don’t have anything to be ashamed of.”
After the game, countless Fort Osage players collapsed on the field, tears streaming down their faces. Tanumai and the Indians coaching staff pulled them up off the ground and helped them back to the locker room.
“I hope everyone who was here today knows why we started Tony and Ryan at the state championship game when they were sophomores,” Indians defensive coordinator Jon Oyler said.
“Gosh, I’m going to miss them. I just wish we had one more week . . .”
So does Schartz.
“How do you tell great kids like the ones we have on this team goodbye?” Schartz said, as he visited with every player in the quiet locker room.
“I thought my decision gave us the best chance to beat a very good team. I still stand by it.”
Staley scored its lone touchdown on a 9-yard pass from Trent Hosick to Mitch Leipper in the second period. Hosick, a junior quarterback, finished the game with 31 carries for 152 yards.
Neither team came close to scoring until the final minutes of the fourth quarter, when McBee hit Brandon Winters on a hook ‘n ladder play that saw Winters lateral the ball to Brandon Reeve.
The play ate up 32 yards and put the Indians in position to score the final touchdown of the game, and the season.
“That last touchdown proves we never quit,” Tanumai said. “No one wanted the season to end like this, but we gave it everything we had.”
