Fort Osage withstands Raytown South rally for 21-14 win

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Raytown South’s Dennis Tanner was tackled for a loss by Fort Osage’s Clayton Jessick.

Photos by Christopher J. Cummins | Special to the Star

Fort Osage’s E.J. Gaines (right) held off Raytown South’s Dennis Turner on his way to 154 yards and two TDs.

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As Raytown South quarterback Dennis Tanner’s desperation pass on fourth down floated his way, Fort Osage senior defensive back E.J. Gaines was intent on getting a measure of redemption.

It was late in the fourth quarter of Fort Osage’s 21-14 win over Raytown South on Friday, and Fort Osage had let a 21-point second-half lead shrink to only seven. Like the rest of the team, Gaines had contributed to the collapse. Just a few plays earlier, he and quarterback Edward Pearl fumbled a handoff that allowed the Cardinals to recover the ball deep in Fort Osage territory with less than 4 minutes remaining.

So you have to understand, Gaines — who is 5 feet 11, 175 pounds and committed to Missouri — was eager to make up for it.

“I was a little nervous,” Gaines said. “But I knew I had to make a play to help my team win.”

And make up for it he did. On fourth and 10 from Fort Osage’s 15-yard line, Gaines knocked the pass away from Tanner’s intended receiver in the corner of the end zone, forcing a turnover on downs that gave Fort Osage the ball back.

However, Gaines — who also plays running back and carried the ball 24 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the game — wasn’t done making big plays. Raytown South still had a timeout, but Gaines’ 9-yard run on second and 10 set up a crucial first down that allowed Fort Osage to run out the clock and hold on for the win.

“Time and time again we ask him to make plays, and he does,” said Fort Osage coach Ryan Schartz.

Fort Osage led by as many three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but Raytown South linebacker Joe Hardy cut the deficit to 14 points when he returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown with 7 minutes left.

Raytown South recovered the onside kick, and just like that, the Cardinals had all the momentum. The Cardinals quickly marched down the field and scored again, this time on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Tanner to receiver Ahmad Cartwright that made the score 21-14.

Fort Osage got the ball back, but that’s when Pearl and Gaines fumbled the exchange on the first play of the drive, putting Raytown South in position to tie the game.

But that’s also when the defense, led by Gaines, stepped up to stop the Cardinals. And the offense, again led by Gaines, preserved the win.

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