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.
The Indians coach graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School in 1992 and was part of the 10-0 regular season squad that dropped its opening playoff game his senior year.
He hasn’t forgotten that moment and he doesn’t want his 11-0 Indians squad to experience the same type of heartache and disappointment.
“I think we want to win this game for Coach Schartz and his coaches more than we want to win it for ourselves,” all-state defensive back E.J. Gaines, who has become one of the Indians’ top offensive threats this season.
“We know Coach Schartz went to Ray-Pec, and we’re not going to let him down. We’ve come close to going to state the past two years and, now, we’re close again. We know we’re going to have to play our best game to win at their place and that’s what we plan on doing.”
The Indians have become one of the most successful teams in Eastern Jackson County the past three years, nearly making it to the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis – the site of the Show-Me Bowl state championships – the past two seasons.
“We came within a game of going to state a couple of years ago and lost (6-0 to Raytown South) in the quarterfinals last year, so we know what disappointment in the postseason feels like,” said defensive back Nathan Hancock, who played a key role in the Indians’ 28-6 regional win Monday night against Park Hill with a blocked punt that led to a Fort Osage score.
“We have the greatest coaches in the world, and they’re getting us ready for Raymore-Peculiar. We’re going to watch a lot of film this week and be ready for anything they throw at us.”
Gaines backed that statement.
“We’re always prepared,” said Gaines, who had his first two interceptions of the season and scored three touchdowns in the win over Park Hill. “I think is the most talented team I’ve played on at Fort Osage, and it has the most depth.
“And our coaches work night and day so that when we walk out on the field, we’re ready.”
This is the first undefeated team in the history of Fort Osage, yet Schartz said the additional pressure that comes from that type of success has posed no problems for his players.
“They work as hard as the 1-9 team we had the first year we were here,” Schartz said. “They don’t take a play off in practice or in the game. They are so talented, and we’re pretty deep – but they just work their tails off. They’re a great group of kids to be around.
“Everyone talks to them about being undefeated, but you never hear them talk about it. All they’re talking about is our next opponent.”
That game-to-game approach has paid huge dividends this season.
“We’ve had a great season,” senior quarterback Edward Pearl said, “but if you look past one opponent, you can be in trouble. Especially now – you lose, you go home. We’re not ready to go home.”
Class 5 Footbal
Going Home
▼ WHAT: Class 5 state quarterfinal playoff
▼ WHO: Second-ranked Fort Osage Indians (11-0) vs. fifth-ranked Raymore-Peculiar Panthers (8-3).
▼ WHEN & WHERE: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Raymore-Peculiar High School, Peculiar, Mo.
▼ RADIO: WHB (810 AM) on tape delay
▼ WHAT’S ON THE LINE: The winner advances to the Nov. 20 state semifinal against the Raytown South-Nixa winner.
▼ HOME AGAIN: Fort Osage coach Ryan Schartz will lead his undefeated Indians against his alma mater.
