Laine Emmerth perhaps gave Ozark fans a glimpse of the future by running for a touchdown in his Tiger varsity debut last Friday.
In the final minutes of Ozark’s 42-14 setback to Carl Junction, Emmerth and other Tigers backups were called upon and had their series capped by a 32-yard Emmerth touchdown run.
“I was on the sideline, waiting for them to call my name. I was so nervous,” said Emmerth, a sophomore quarterback.
Emmerth faked a pitch, kept the ball himself and deftly darted to his right on his way to scoring.
“My pitch guy, the outside ‘backer came to him, so there was an open hole for me,” he said. “Once I made that cut, I saw open grass. Running into the end zone and hearing everyone cheer my name, words can’t describe how good it felt. It was amazing.”
Emmerth’s older brothers, Landon and Logan, also played for Ozark. Landon suited up for the Tigers from 2011-2014 and Logan from 2016-2019.
Laine fondly remembers watching Logan play.
“I got so excited going to his games,” Laine said. “I really look up to him and he’s one of my biggest supporters. He was a really good player and I want to be just like him.”
Logan was a middle linebacker and tight end who gave college ball a try at Quincy. He is now attending Baptist Bible College.
“My Dad introduced me to quarterback in the fourth grade and I’ve been playing there ever since,” Laine said. “I love getting the ball in my hands every play and running the offense.”
Emmerth and the rest of Ozark’s freshmen enjoyed a 9-0 season a year ago.
“That whole freshman team last year was excited for this year,” he said. “We knew a lot of us were going to get moved up and contribute.”
Coach Chad Depee couldn’t have been more pleased with Emmerth’s instincts.
“He does a tremendous job with that crew and manages the game well,” Depee said. “He showed he knows how to run our system. Spur of the moment, he comes in and takes a few snaps and gets in there and (scores). He was focused and trusted his training, that’s what I love about him. He let things play out, reacted and made a good play.”
