OZARK A win is a win

Ozark didn’t have the best of outings in its opener against Clarksville last week but found itself on the right side of the scoreboard by game’s end.

The Hillbillies were outgained in total yardage by nearly 140 yards and committed seven penalties, many of which killed promising drives. Still, Ozark had enough during overtime to pull out a 14-13 victory thanks to a defensive stand that Coach Jeremie Burns said “saved them.”

“We got lucky,” he said. “Ryker Martin got us down there, and we made our [extra point]. Then Clarksville’s quarterback [Bryce Buckner] eventually scored. They went for two, and Payten Durning was able to get through the line and cut him. He’s laying at about the 2-yard line, ballgame over.”

Burns liked that his team clawed its way to a win, but he didn’t think the Hillbillies’ execution was where it needed to be.

Ozark also gave up huge chunks of yardage on the ground to a Clarksville team it’d beaten 32-12 a year ago.

“We were trying to overcome those first-game jitters,” Burns said. “We had some young guys out there that were taking over at some different spots. You can practice all summer, but sometimes when you get in a game, it doesn’t come to you.

“Now we’ve got to get ready for our second rivalry game.”

Friday’s game against Booneville isn’t an average rival for Ozark. The two teams first played each other in 1924, and the Bearcats have won 13 of the past 20 meetings, including four of the last five.

“They’ve kind of had the lead on us a little bit,” Burns said. “They’ve got a really good team this year, offense and defense. But the kids are looking forward to this game. They’re getting ready to go down there and play a whole lot better this week, hopefully.”