In a game with a combined 83 points and 818 yards of offense it was two defensive plays that clinched a 48-35 Bearcat win over rival Ozark Friday night in Franklin County.
Perhaps the biggest came on fourth down when, with the Bearcats leading 42-35, Ozark (1-1) was facing a fourth-and-1 after a third down 22 yard gain.
Dax Goff, with help from Conner Lentz, stuffed the Hillbilly quarterback for a two-yard loss for a turnover on downs at the Ozark 23-yard line.
Four plays later Goff (shown) was in the end zone for the fifth time on the night and the 10th time in his career against Ozark.
It was an 8-yard run for the touchdown capping a 112-yard quarter for the senior. He had 197 yards on the ground during a 330-yard all purpose yardage night.
The PAT try hit the crossbar keeping the score 48-35 and Ozark moved to the Bearcat 29-yard line before backing up for an unsportsmanlike penalty.
That gave Ozark 121 yards on 17 penalties – the Bearcats had been flagged for a personal foul late hit to aid the drive, finishing their penalty riddled night with 15 for 136 yards.
On second-and-25, with Seth Wilson and Goff closing in on what would be the third quarterback sack of the night for the Bearcats, it was Goff who dislodged the ball and Hunter Warren recovered for the Bearcats.
With 0:55 to play all that remained was Jace Washburn taking a knee twice to complete the win in his first start as a Bearcat quarterback.
Ozark actually had the first big fourth down play of the night holding on a fourth-and-two at their 44-yard line to end the first drive of the game, but the Hillbillies would eventually miss a field goal.
Then Washburn directed an 80-yard drive for the first points of the season, completing a pass to Goff 11 yards and for one first down, then a second, also to Goff for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Juan Moreno added the point after for a 7-0 lead with 2:59 left in the opening quarter.
Taking advantage of 39 yards in penalties on the ensuing drive Ozark responded with 10:53 left in the half to tie the game.
That meant the Hillbillies had to kick off, and Goff took it back 82 yards for a touchdown and it was 14-7.
After a 5-yard Hillbilly punt the Bearcats looked to go up two scores but flags pushed them back and an interception gave the ball back to the Hillbillies.
Ozark was forced to punt again but a second Bearcat turnover gave the Hillbillies life and they took advantage of it with a game tying drive that ended with 2:22 left in the half.
Prior to the turnover Rhett Nietert made his debut at quarterback when Washburn was sent to the sideline for a play after his helmet came off during a play.
After halftime the teams combined for 629 yards but, again it was the Bearcat defense making stops when it mattered – Ozark was 1-of-8 on third down in the half and 1-of-3 on fourth down in the half.
One of those third downs came after a second down sack by Demari Poole on the initial possession of the half. After the snap sailed away from the quarterback, Poole was in pursuit and chose the ball rather than the quarterback this time.
The Bearcats then converted a third-and-6 with Lentz rumbling 39 yards for a touchdown and a 21-14 lead.
Ozark again tied it at 21-21 on a 34-yard pass with 5:12 left in the third quarter.
After a penalty for levelling Nietert following a fair catch on the kickoff put the ball at midfield, the Bearcats needed just five plays to go back in front on an 8-yard Rylen Ray touchdown.
Ray, who was injured in the season opener a year ago, carried 19 times for 76 yards in the game.
With a missed PAT it remained 27-21 and Ozark would take a 28-27 lead on the first play of the final quarter.
Ozark would then force a punt and drive to the Bearcat 24, where, on fourth down another snap sailed away and Goff ran the quarterback down for a 16-yard loss and a turnover on downs with 8:13 to play.
Goff ran 35 yards for a go-ahead score with 7:06 to play and then ran for a two-point conversion and a 35-28 lead.
That lasted through the kickoff as a 65-yard pass and run would re-tie it at 35-35.
After a tense kickoff return on which Colter Fisher fielded the ball after it bounced off a teammate’s helmet, the Bearcats survived a fumble and were at the Ozark 49 facing a third-and-2,.
Goff bolted 49 yards and with Moreno’s fourth PAT it was 42-35 with 5:32 to play.
Thirty yards in penalties pushed the Hillbillies inside their own 5 after the kickoff but a third-and-23 saw a 22-yard gain to set up the fourth down stop by Goff, who finished with 11 total tackles.
The Bearcats will next face Camden Fairview on Friday at Bearcat Stadium. Thar Class 5A Cardinals are 1-1 after a 21-20 loss to Class 6A El Dorado Friday.
GOFF, LEADS BEARCAT OFFENSE, AND DEFENSE
