Fort Osage’s Ryver Peppers scored four touchdowns, and in a total team win, they got scores from their offense, defense, and special teams, as they overcame a 15-point deficit to come away with a victory over Raytown 38-28.
Raytown drew first blood at 3:34 of the first quarter. Nate Whitebear, connected with Anthony Ransburg for a 28-yard score. On the point after, Fort Osage was offsides, so Raytown went for two. Running back Freddy Ersey to a direct snap and went around right end, to give Raytown an 8-0 lead.
In the second quarter after a Raytown drive stalled Whitebear went back into punt formation, but faked the punt and connected with Ransburg again, down the seam, for a 48-yard score. Mazigh Hamchaoui nailed the point after. Raytown was up by 15.
After the kickoff, Fort Osage needed just one play to score. Peppers scored on a 67-yard run down the right sideline. Peppers gave all the credit to his offensive line, “They opened a huge hole, and I had to break an arm tackle or two and bounce it outside.”
Raytown answered back when Whitebear and Ransburg hooked up for their third score, this was from 30 yards out. Hamchaoui’s kick was true, and it seemed Raytown had all the momentum.
Raytown squibbed the kickoff, and Peppers took the ball after a high bounce, on his own 28-yard line started left and made a quick pivot, and turned back to the right and went for a 72 yard score. Kicker Xander Sanders nailed his second conversion and Raytown lead 22-14.
After a penalty moved Raytown deep in their own territory, Whitebear fumbled the snap and when the players unpiled, Anthony Thompson, had recovered the fumble for a touchdown. Whittico kick split the uprights, and the teams went to halftime with Raytown up by a point, 22-21.
Fort Osage grabbed the lead when Sanders blasted a 34-yard field goal. Then their defense held Raytown on 4th down and gave the ball back to the offense. Once again it was Peppers again, this time from 3 yards out. As the 4th quarter began, Fort Osage was 31 - 20.
Late in the game, Peppers put the icing on the cake, with a 24-yard burst right up the middle. Sanders finished his night with another conversion.
Raytown tacked on another score with :16 left in the game, Whitebear connected with Travon Johnson from 13 yards out. The two-point pass was unsuccessful. Raytown did recover the onside kick, but an interception ended the game.
Fort Osage runs their record to 3-2, and they will be home next week against St. Joseph Central.
Raytown also has a record of 3-2, they will be on the road next week in Platte County.
