EIGHTH GRADERS LEAD JUNIOR BEARCATS THURSDAY

A depleted Booneville Junior High roster was unable to overcome Ozark Thursday night in a game played in Franklin County, falling 28-12.

Nonetheless, several eighth grade players saw considerable playing time with Conner Droemer (shown) accounting for 50 yards on the ground and returning a kickoff for 50 yards as well.

Conner Lentz was the leading rusher for the Bearcats with 65 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 6-6 in the second quarter.

Seven plays after the Droemer kickoff return, eighth grade fullback Hunter Warren scored his second touchdown of the year on a 1-yard run to make it 20-12. Warren was the workhorse with 17 touches in the game.

Ozark scored again before the quarter ended but the Bearcat defense was able to prevent further damage.

Lentz was also the leading tackler for the Bearcat defense with seven total stops, but it was freshman Demari Poole recording three tackles for a loss and four total solo stops. Trevor Karow, another freshman, also had five total tackles, including a sack ad 1.5 for a loss.

The Bearcats will now have two weeks to get everyone healthy for the 3A-4 race because next week’s nonconference game with Greenwood has been cancelled. Perryville will be the next opponent, at Bearcat Stadium on Sept. 16.