Indians secure playoff berth

Fort Osage is returning to the Class 5 playoffs. William Chrisman will have to wait another week to find out its fate.
Three of the big stars in leading what could become a dream season – quarterback Edward Pearl, running back E.J. Gaines and wide receiver Kamryn Tillmon – paced the Indians past the host Bears 28-0 Friday night at Independence All-School Stadium.
Pearl completed 4 of 8 passes for 97 yards, including a 50-yard scoring strike to Tillmon and Gaines rushed only 11 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns as Fort Osage remained undefeated in nine games.
A victory next Friday night over North Kansas City assures Fort Osage of its first undefeated regular season in history and an undisputed Suburban Middle Six title. More importantly, though, for the Indians is another state playoff berth.
“We played well enough to win,” Fort Osage coach Ryan Schartz said. “We need to regain our focus. We have good players. And we have to cut down on our penalties.”
Nine penalties for 75 yards marred for the victorious Fort Osage effort.
“It was our worst game of the year,” Fort Osage defensive back Nathan Hancock said. “We didn’t come out and execute. We took them too lightly.”
Credit the Bears for trying their hardest minus standout wide receiver Josh Yakovitz, who had to sit out after being ejected in the 28-21 victory over North Kansas City last week, and leading rusher Caleb Sims (sore ankle).
Scott Cates replaced Sims and ran for 71 yards on 34 carries and quarterback Zach Dyer completed 6 of 17 passes for 104 yards. But it wasn’t enough to overcome a standout Fort Osage team.
“And I had to fight for every one of them,” Cates said of his yards. “We played hard. We still can make it (playoffs).”
A victory next Friday night over Winnetonka also assures the Bears of a playoff spot.
“That is an awful good team,” Chrisman coach Mark Simcox told his players. “We have one more game to play and perhaps another after that.”
Fort Osage, which ended the game at the Chrisman 13-yard line, clinched the win on two second-quarter touchdowns.
After an exchange of punts, Fort Osage took over at the Chrisman 23. Five plays later Pearl scored from the 6 and Tucker Hickey kicked the first of four extra points.
On next possession, the Bears gambled and came up four yards shy of a first down at the Fort Osage 46.
Pearl ran for 18 yards and then Gaines rambled for 28 and a touchdown for a 14-0 advantage.
The Bears didn’t quit, driving to a third-and-goal at the Fort Osage 4. Spencer Gearhart then intercepted Dyer in the end zone.
 Fort Osage needed only two plays to make it 21-0 after receiving the second-half kickoff. Gaines ran for 6 and then Pearl passed 50 yards to Tillmon for a touchdown.
Chrisman then drove to the Fort Osage 25 before Dyer threw two incomplete passes. The Bears never threatened again.
Gaines capped his big night with a 6-yard scamper with 8:21 remaining. The 44-yard drive also had two earlier TD runs of 15 and 25 by Gaines and Pearl, respectively, wiped out on penalties.
“I try to make the most of my runs,” said Gaines, who has committed to the University of Missouri. “We are taking it one game at a time. But 10-0 has never happened.”
It was costly Fort Osage win. Schartz said they believe that senior defensive back Ian Mathis suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament knee injury during a pass play.