The first time Fort Osage and Raytown South hooked up this season, the 12-0 Indians had to put a stop to a furious fourth-quarter Cardinals comeback before claiming a 21-14 victory.

Fort Osage High School football coach Ryan Schartz has a favorite expression.

"Big players, make big plays in big games,” Schartz said leading into Saturday’s Class 5 state quarterfinal game between his undefeated Indians and his alma mater, Raymore-Peculiar.

When Ryan Schartz takes his Fort Osage football team to Raymore-Peculiar for Class 5 state quarterfinal action at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, he’ll be in some familiar territory.

There are occasions when I witness a performance by a high school athlete that simply makes me shake my head in amazement.

E.J. Gaines walked off the Fort Osage football field with a smile that lit up Eastern Jackson County.

A perfect record means nothing at this time of the year in high school football.

Considering how young his team is, Tuesday’s season-ending loss was acceptable to Fort Osage boys soccer coach Andrew Fletcher.

Friday was a night of firsts at Fort Osage.

The regular season and Suburban Middle Six finale resulted in a tough Fort Osage loss.

Halfway through the Class 4 District 15 semifinal match against Fort Osage, Truman senior Kassidy Ritchel sent a powerful message to the Indians.