Hey, this is Terez Paylor and I’m a sports reporter with The Star. This Friday I got an opportunity to cover the showdown between Fort Osage and Raytown South. Fort Osage, The Star's No. 2 big-class team, entered the game with a perfect 5-0 record while Raytown South, which advanced to the Missouri Class 5 state championship game last season, entered with a 3-2 record.

The game was sloppy – there were lots of turnovers and some boneheaded plays – but it was definitely entertaining. Fort Osage prevailed 21-14, in large part because it made plays when it had to. You can check out my game story here.

Anyway, here are a few thoughts from the game.

*Fort Osage running back/defensive back E.J. Gaines is one of the best players I’ve seen this year. On his touchdown run in the first quarter, Gaines took a shotgun handoff from quarterback Edward Pearl and ran untouched through the middle of the defense for a 64-yard touchdown. He also had another touchdown and a big fourth-down deflection late in the game.

*Raytown South quarterback Dennis Tanner has some magic in his feet. His ability to stop and start again in an instant gave Fort Osage trouble at times, but in all they did a good job containing him.

*Fort Osage used one of the weirdest plays I’ve ever seen to increase its lead from 14 to 21 early in the third quarter. Raytown South had the ball deep in Fort Osage territory, and the Cardinals were lined up in a goofy shotgun formation featuring a bunch of players split out wide and only one offensive lineman. The referee blew a whistle to signify the start of the play, and the center snapped the ball to Tanner. But Tanner wasn’t looking for it, and the ball rolled on the ground several yards behind the line of scrimmage.

By the time any of the Cardinals realized what happened, Fort Osage defensive lineman Chris Hamilton had already scooped up the ball and was being escorted to the end zone by a caravan of white shirts.

*Raytown South is 3-3 now, but I wouldn’t count them out just yet. They definitely have the talent, especially at the skill positions, to make a postseason run. Senior receiver Alex Sanders, who is the nephew of former Detroit Lions star Barry Sanders, was particularly impressive. On one play, the 5-11, 150 pound Sanders took a swing pass from Tanner and accelerated so fast down the sideline that people in the press box let out a collective ooooohhhhh.

*Fort Osage is now 6-0, and I see why. Quarterback Edward Pearl is a dual-threat, while Gaines is a stud. Receiver Kamryn Tillman didn’t do much on Friday – give Raytown South credit for that – but he’s scored a bunch of touchdowns this year and is generally regarded as one of the area’s best receivers. Also, the defense makes plays when it has to. What’s not to like? I’m definitely looking forward to their matchup against Winnetonka, 5-1, on Oct. 16.

*Fort Osage has a freshman receiver named Ishmael Wainright who stands 6-5 and weighs 210 pounds. He doesn't start for the Cardinals and I’m not even sure he played Friday. But word is he's a really good basketball player. Keep your eye out for him.