Photo Credit: David Smith/Special to PrepsKC 
Sometimes factors beyond a team’s control can play as big of a role in a game as anything, and that was the weather Friday night. Fort Osage and North Kansas City were dealing with it like every other team in the area, and the question was the same: which team can handle the conditions – in this case, a steady rain that never let up – best?
On this night, it was Fort Osage from the get-go, and it led to a dominating 42-7 victory.
“During practice this week the coaches put a big emphasis on it (hanging on to the football),” Fort Osage quarterback Greg Menne said. “They soaked the footballs all week during practice.”
Added Indians head coach Brock Bult, “We did everything we could to prepare them. The kids were mentally prepared, and they handled it well. I don’t remember too many fumbles. We did what we needed to do.”
Meanwhile, the Hornets struggled from the start with the rain. They had six negative plays on their first five drives, all due to the weather, whether it was a bad snap, fumbled exchange, or fumbles by a ball carrier.
The third one of these was a fumble recovered by Fort Osage’s Anthony Thompson and returned 9 yards for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.
“When you get ahead it helps you block out the conditions,” Bult said. “It was key to get a quick start.”
From there, Fort Osage’s two standout players – Menne and wideout Larenzo Fenner – took over.
Fenner made it 14-0 on a quick touch pass from Menne going to his right, getting walled off by Hornet defenders before doubling all the way back to his left for a 29-yard score.
Menne worked his magic on the next offensive series, evading what seemed like a Hornet sack, spinning free and then running for a 30-yard touchdown.
“I’m a strong runner, and I just kept my legs moving,” Menne said. “I was able to break free, and I had some blockers out in front. I was able to capitalize.”
Added Bult, “We have weapons all over, but it’s big when those key guys step up.”
A 1-yard touchdown run by North Kansas City’s Ezra Peterson made it 21-7, but just before halftime Menne and Fenner hooked up on a big play. With 23 seconds left, Menne threw a perfect strike to a sliding Fenner 18 yards out in the end zone with a Hornet defender draped all over him.
Just like that it was 28-7 and Fort Osage was in control.
“That was big,” Bult said. “I’m proud of our defense. They’ve struggled to close out halves, but they put the offense in a good position. We went out and did what we wanted to do and got a big score. We got an extra score and some momentum.
“Against that (defensive) front, you’ve got to be able to throw it. We practiced with wet balls all week. I’m not sure Greg threw a dry ball all week.”
Ryver Peppers sealed the win in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns. One came on a 65-yard pass from Menne, while the other was a 17-yard rushing score.
The loss ended North Kansas City’s season with a 6-5 mark. Fort Osage improved to 8-2 and will host Oak Park for the district championship next Friday night.
The two teams squared off just two weeks ago and Fort Osage squeaked out a 35-30 win.
“As a team, we’re focused on a championship effort,” Menne said. “We’re taking it one game at a time. We have to keep the train rolling. We have a lot of confidence as a team.”
