NEOSHO — Given Ozark’s seemingly ever-growing number of injuries, it’s no surprise underclassmen such as Ethan Chandler are finding their way onto the field and in new roles.
Chandler’s conversion from linebacker to H-back isn’t exactly complete. But his blocking gave Ozark’s offense a boost in the Tigers’ 20-14 loss to Neosho on Friday.
Chandler’s lead-blocks helped his backfield mate, Jack Bowers, to a 105-yard rushing night on 22 carries that included a pair of touchdowns.
“I picked things up pretty quickly,” Chandler said. “(Offensive coordinator Justin Peery) did a good job getting me film on Hudl. We worked, worked and worked in practice so I could get out there. I got everything memorized I could, to get it all down and see if I could execute tonight. I feel I did a pretty good job on some of the plays. But there's definitely some more work I need to do.”
It was Chandler’s first significant varsity action. At linebacker, he backs up Parker Elliott and Jordan Giles.
“It's always been a dream of mine to get out there on a Friday night,” Chandler said. “To have a dream come true is a good feeling.”
Bowers picked up a good chunk of his yardage on repeated counter-runs.
“It was successful, so we kept using it,” Bowers said. “It it's not broken, don't fix it. Ethan’s a tough kid. He hits hard and wants to play so badly. He’s doing everything he can and putting the most he has into it. He was making things pop for me.”
“On those counters, I feel I'm good at getting out on the 'backer and taking him out,” Chandler said. “I love blocking for Jack. He’s one of my good friends. I'd do anything to have him have success.
“I always knew I was a pretty decent blocker,” he added. “I did it in junior high. I wasn't very rusty. I was definitely nervous. I had to get some of the nerves out.”
Tigers trail 14-0 in first quarter
Ozark (1-6) lost its sixth straight, while Neosho (1-6) halted a nine-game losing streak that dated back to last season.
The Tigers were in catch-up mode all night, falling behind to Neosho quarterback Quenton Hughes and the Wildcats’ frenetic offense 14-0 in the first quarter.
Ozark’s attempt to keep pace offensively early on was dealt a blow when Bowers turned the ball over on a fumble at the Neosho 17-yard line.
“My fumble in the red zone, that was a leading factor why we didn't win,” Bowers said. “It was a perfect punch (by a Neosho defender). I was trying to cut, looking for a hole and he stuck his hand in and popped (the ball) out.”
The Tigers failed to score in the first quarter for the sixth straight game.
On Ozark’s next possession, a fired-up Bowers was looking for redemption in a hurry and broke loose on a counter for a 17-yard touchdown run.
“I was (mad),” Bowers said.
Neosho upped its advantage to a two-score lead, thanks to a 35-yard field by Juan Belcarte in the second quarter and a 23-yard field goal by Belcarte in the third quarter.
Ozark’s defense gave the Tigers a chance to win by keeping Neosho out of the end zone over the final three quarters. Defensive end Johnny Williams recorded a pair of TFLs, defensive end Ruben Arvizu posted a quarterback sack and defensive back Brady Owens picked off a Hughes pass.
Tigers' offense not able to execute enough
Ozark’s offense struggled mightily to move the ball on first- and second-downs. The Tigers faced numerous third- and fourth-and-long scenarios.
They twice completed passes on fourth-and-long that fell one yard short of a first down.
Also, they had two incompletions to an open Brody Lawrence in the red zone that could have easily been two touchdowns. On another would-be touchdown pass, a Neosho defender tipped the ball just enough to keep it from wideout Sam Clark's fingertips.
Finally, with three minutes remaining fourth quarter and Ozark in another fourth-and-long, Clark hauled in a 30-yard reception from quarterback Peyton Russell at the Neosho 11-yard line.
That set up a two-yard touchdown run by Bowers, but only 2:25 remained.
It was only the third touchdown in the fourth quarter on the season for the Tigers.
For much of the night, Neosho's defensive line applied plenty of pressure on Russell, often forcing him out of the pocket.
Bowers, who is closing in on 600 yards rushing for the season, fought off injuries to his back and an ankle.
“After I got my back worked out, I got tackled and while I was down a Neosho player yanked my ankle and twisted it,” Bowers said.
Ozark freshmen wide receivers Jett Easley and Anthony Cordell both caught their first varsity pass.
Neosho 20, Ozark 14
Ozark 0 7 0 7 - 14
Neosho 14 3 3 0 - 20
Scoring
N - Denver Welch 47 pass from Quenton Hughes (Juan Blancarte kick)
N - Welch 3 run (Blancarte kick)
O - Jack Bowers 20 run (Sam Clark kick)
N - Blancarte 35 field goal
N - Blancarte 23 field goal
O - Bowers 2 run (Clark kick)
