Ozark midfielder Phin Scott is counting on being able to take the field Saturday for the Tigers’ noon Class 4 Quarterfinal contest at home against Rockhurst.
Scott suffered a quad injury in Ozark’s win versus Nixa this past Monday.
“A kid ran into me and dead-legged me in my quad,” Scott said. “I've had people do that here and there, but never that bad. I tried stretching it. It never got better.
“I should be good (Saturday),” he added. “I'll do whatever I can to get back.”
Scott and forward Caleb Lepant are aware of the challenge that awaits the Tigers.
Rockhurst (22-0) is the defending Class 4 state champion and a nine-time state champion. The Hawklets have five state runner-up finishes.
“They’re the best team we'll ever play against,” Scott said. “We’re up for it. I think we can pull off the upset.”
“This is the game we've been looking forward to all season,” Lepant said. “They're a great team. We've been studying film and know what to expect. We'll have a good game plan. Even if we win, the teams we would see after won't be better than them.”
Kansas City and St. Louis metro schools annually have dominated Class 4. The Tigers hope they can represent SWMO well.
“I don't think they will be expecting much out of us,” Lepant said. “I mean, we're Ozark. Who really knows Ozark? We're going to see if we can step up. I think we can. We have the squad to do it.
“They have to come here,” he added.
Rockhurst midfielder Baka Kante had five goals during the Hawklets’ three Districts wins. Last year, he made a penalty kick to win the state final against Christian Brothers College.
Rockhurst is fresh from a 3-2 overtime win against Ray-Pec.
Ozark (24-2-2) and Rockhurst have three common opponents. The Tigers beat Kickapoo 6-0 and 2-1, edged Carthage 4-3 in overtime and lost to Chaminade Prep 4-3, while Rockhurst swept Kickapoo, Carthage and Chaminade while outscoring them 18-1.
The rest of the Class 4 Elite Eight are Wentzville Liberty, John Burroughs, Park Hill South, Columbia Rock Bridge, Lindbergh and Christian Brothers.
