There was no secret to Fort Osage’s game plan on offense against undefeated and fifth-ranked William Chrisman.
Hand the ball off to Isaiah Iloilo to run up the middle, rinse and repeat.
That play accounted for 62 percent of the Indians’ plays on offense. And even though they ran the same play often, there was little reason not to. Iloilo operated like a machine, carrying the ball a whopping 41 times for 272 yards and two scores to help his team hand its Suburban Middle Six rivals their first loss, 23-21, Friday at Independence All-School Stadium.
“We knew we couldn’t underestimate them, we know they are a good team,” said Iloilo, whose team could end up in a three-way share with Chrisman and Staley for the Suburban Middle Six title with a win over Oak Park next week. “But this conference (game) was a big game and we practiced like it was a big game. We didn’t take breaks in practice. Everyone knew what was on the line. I couldn’t be more proud of my O-line.
“Coach (Brock Bult) told me I would get the ball a little bit. He didn’t tell me 42 (times) if that’s what it was. But I am just really happy right now.”
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound running back came back from a multi-game absence as he recovered from a concussion and did not disappoint in his return. He was a load to bring down for the Chrisman defense as he got behind his big offensive line, which appeared to manhandle the Bears defense, and averaged 6.63 yards per carry.
“That’s the Ilo we’ve been waiting to see,” Bult said. “He got his legs back underneath him. He came out here and had a chip on his shoulder. This season hasn’t gone exactly the way he thought it was going to go and he wanted to go out and prove something today and he did.”
Added quarterback Ty Baker: “He’s a beast. Our O-line did a great job tonight. He looked like he went five or six years every carry.”
Fort Osage (3-5) fumbled the ball away on a Chrisman 1 on its first drive after bad snap to quarterback Ty Baker. The Indians defense also appeared to be more physical than the Bears offense as it forced two three-and-outs in Chrisman first two possessions.
“We had a good week of practice and we really had a chip on our shoulder,” Fort Osage linebacker Von Young said. “Bailey was good, but all cylinders on defense were firing at the same time.”
