Nixa's Ramone Green was ID'd as Austin McCracken over the public-address system at Ozark early on in the Backyard Brawl last week.
In the teams' immediate rematch Friday, there were probably a few more observers who could have mistaken Green for McCracken.
Green put his No. 2 jersey aside and sported McCracken's No. 1 jersey while running for all five Nixa touchdowns in the Eagles' 35-7 Class 6 District 3 first-round triumph.
It was Green's way to salute his injured friend, teammate and housemate. Green has lived with McCracken's family since he was in junior high.
"I thought it would be a cool thing to wear my brother’s jersey since he’s not getting to play," Green said of McCracken, a senior wide receiver who will miss all of this season due to a torn ACL. ".We've been playing together since we were in the third grade. He’s always been a part of my football career, so I wanted to keep him a part of my season. He supported me when I couldn’t play last year (due to a broken collarbone) and I support him this year. We’re always going to have each other’s back no matter what."
"He asked me if he could wear my jersey and I said of course. He thought it would be cool and I agreed," McCracken said. "It means a lot to me. With how dominant he is, he’s representing the number well."
While wearing either 1 or 2, all of Green's numbers this season have been exceptional. He's up to 31 rushing touchdowns and 10 games into the season he's continued an amazing pace by averaging more than 10 yards a carry.
Green actually had that number in mind as far back as the pre-season.
"It’s surprised me. But at the end of the day I wrote that down as a goal," Green said of averaging 10 yards a run. "I’m focused on meeting my goals. I’m proud I’m meeting that goal right now."
Green ran for two of his touchdowns Friday while receiving the center-snap out of the 'Wildcat' formation. It almost seemed unfair for him to have an additional teammate blocking for him, as he scored from out of the 'Wildcat' easily.
"In short-yardage situations, we will put some guys in and move some guys around and get first downs or touchdowns," Green said of the 'Wildcat.' "They can open up more holes for me, it’s all I can ask for."
Of course, it also helps that Green makes himself a tough 'back to bring down. He shook off would-be tackles while breaking loose for 26- and 33-yard touchdown runs.
Green earned the respect of the Tigers.
"He's a stud. He's really freakin' good," Ozark safety Garrett Ballard said. "I'm not going to lie, he ran me over a couple times. I'd go to break down because you think he's going to break your ankles and then he runs over you. He can do a little of everything."
Ozark's defense couldn't stop Green, but held up well against Nixa's passing attack. Sam Clark picked off an Eagles pass.
In the first half, the Tigers also recovered a Nixa fumble and had two defensive stops.
"I thought overall our defense really came back from a week ago and made some good adjustments," coach Chad Depee said. "Our defense stepped up and kept us in the ball game. We gave up a few big plays. But I was pleased with our defense."
Running back Jacob Kronebusch ran for more than 100 yards in his Ozark finale.
"He's one of our several guys who played double-duty all year long and played two tough positions as a D-end and fullback," Depee said. "There was a ton of contact going on around him. I'm super proud of that kid for hanging in there. He's one of those young men who knows what needs to be done to help his team and he's willing to sacrifice and keep plugging."
The Tigers had to play without injured quarterback Brady Dodd and linebacker Parker Elliott. Dodd has a foot injury and Elliott a back injury.
Ozark's lone touchdown came on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Gage Depee to Ballard.
Nixa moves on in the post-season having reached the end zone for at least five touchdowns in nine of its 10 games. The Eagles' offense has been practically unstoppable despite not having McCracken, who was the team's fastest player prior to his injury.
McCracken suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during 7-on-7 play over the summer. He initially held out hope he could play with the injury, but opted for surgery earlier this month.
"It was a frustrating process. I wasn’t getting anywhere and with how good our offense is, there was really no place for me with a torn ACL," said McCracken, who started at quarterback for Nixa as a sophomore two years ago.
He's looking forward to completing rehab and making an attempt at making a repeat trip to the Class 5 State Track Meet in the 100.
"I decided to move on and try to make it back for track," McCracken said. "I’m going to train hard and do what I can."
Next week in the semifinal round, Nixa hosts Ray-Pec.
