Oak Grove pulls off another stunner

The Oak Grove boys soccer team hopes it can call itself a giant killer one more time.
Pedro Ramirez’s goal in the 64th minute Tuesday extended the seventh-seeded Panthers’ improbable run through the Class 2 District 8 Tournament. After stunning No. 2 seed Staley 1-0 Saturday, the Panthers reached the championship game by edging No. 3 Kearney 2-1 in Tuesday’s semifinals at Excelsior Springs High School.
The Panthers (14-10) now get to meet No. 1 seed Smithville in Thursday’s 6 p.m. championship at Excelsior Springs.
“It was really exciting,” Oak Grove coach Ben Thomason said of the win. “A lot of the student body was there to cheer us on, and it was nice to see them. They all came down to the field after the game and congratulated the kids. It was a good feeling, but our kids definitely earned it.”
Ramirez broke down Kearney’s defense with several moves in the middle and down the left side. He then rifled a shot with his left foot into the far right corner of the net.
“It was a great shot,” Thomason said. “There was probably only one place he could put it to get it past their keeper and he put it right there.”
Panthers goalkeeper Josh Keeton and the defense then had to withstand a late onslaught by Kearney in the final minutes.
“We played more defensive-minded at the end, and they brought the house at us,” Thomason said. “We had 17 minutes left after the goal and the defense stepped up and played hard. Our keeper really played well and made some nice saves. Josh is starting to get some confidence in the net and it showed tonight.”
Eric Barker made the win possible by scoring an unassisted goal in the 10th minute to tie it 1-1.
Thomason expects another tough battle in Thursday’s final.
“They’re extremely talented; they have speed, experience and good coaching,” he said. “We just have to keep playing our brand of soccer. We expect a close fight.”