Pearl of success

Edward Pearl’s introduction to quarterback at the varsity level could not have come at a more crucial time.
With his Fort Osage team a game away from the Class 5 state championship game, Pearl – who was an all-conference receiver for the Indians – watched as starter Bobby Wagener went down with an injury in the first half against Belton.
Pearl helped lead a fourth quarter comeback that came up just short. He threw two touchdowns and ran for another as the Indians fought back from a 28-3 deficit to fall 35-22.
“I was pretty nervous,” Pearl said. “That was really my first varsity action (at quarterback) I got all year. I played a little against Ruskin, but that was late in the game.”
And that performance won over his teammates, including Parker Jones – who caught both Pearl touchdown passes.
“I had no idea what would happen,” Jones said. “But he pulled through really well. He made the game more exciting.”
Now a junior, Pearl comes in with that experience and knows he is the starting quarterback.
“It’s fun,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of experience, and I’ve gotten better..
“It’s easier this year as a junior. I’m just going to try to get the ball to the seniors and to (running back) Dalton (Krysa).”
Jones can already see the difference in Pearl’s game from last year to this year.
“He’s a lot more accurate and a lot stronger,” Jones said.
And head coach Ryan Schartz likes another facet of Pearl’s game – his height.
“He’s tall,” Schartz said. “He’s 6-foot-3. That’s something we haven’t had yet. It’s nice because he’s able to see over the line. With Bobby, we had to move the pocket around to create lanes. Edward sees over it better.”
Something else Schartz said Pearl brings to the team is a little more mobility than Wagener had.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete,” Schartz said. “He’s a guy who can really make a play. That’s nothing against Bobby. But Pearl is able to scramble better.”
Another thing that could help Pearl see some early success is that people may be overlooking the new quarterback – instead focusing on stopping Krysa, who has rushed for more than 2,000 yards each of the past two seasons.
But Pearl also knows the bread and butter of Fort Osage is its ability to run the football and control the game offensively. He said he is hoping to take some of the attention away from Krysa to help make that possible.
“It’s going to be a lot easier,” Pearl said of trying to throw on a defense that is keyed against the run. “Hopefully that opens up the passing game and I can get the ball to Parker for some big plays. Running the ball is our style. And we can’t run the ball with nine guys in the box.
“I just want to do what I can to help the football team win.”
And if Pearl can play like he did in that final quarter against Belton for the rest of the season, he could give Indian opponents another player on the Fort Osage offense to fear.