Osage dominates with home win against Versailles

LAKE OZARK - School of the Osage made its Homecoming game a successful - and fast one - Friday night, as the Indians blasted the Versailles Tigers 42-6 in Tri-County Conference action.

The Indians, ranked No. 10 in the latest Missouri Media Class 3 state poll, stay unbeaten at 6-0 overall and 4-0 in league play. The Versailles Tigers fall to 3-3 and 2-2.

As has been the case much of the season, Osage's defense was very offensive Friday night, as three of the Indian touchdowns were set up or scored off turnovers.

Osage took its opening offensive drive 61 yards for a touchdown, as junior quarterback Zach Wheeler scored on a 17-yard keeper. Senior Jason Edwards added the first of his six extra points.

Three plays later, Indian junior linebacker Nick Riley busted into the Versailles backfield, intercepted a pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown.

After forcing the Tigers to punt from their own end zone, the snap was fumbled and Osage senior lineman Christian Gonnella pounced on the ball in the end zone for a score early in the second quarter.

Riley broke off a 73-yard run on the Indians' next possession, setting up a 5-yard pass from Wheeler to sophomore wideout Dalton Depee.

On the ensuing kickoff, Versailles fumbled and Ben Baker of Osage recovered at the Tiger 20. Four plays later, Wheeler scored on a 9-yard run.

It was 35-0 at halftime.

Early in the second half, Wheeler scored his fourth touchdown on the night with a 20-yard run.

Versailles got its lone touchdown at the 8:28 mark of the third period when sophomore Grant Hutchison broke away for a 73-yard run.

Wheeler rushed for 46 yards on seven carries and three touchdowns and hit on 8-of-12 passes for 69 yards and another touchdown. Riley finished with a team-high 99 rushing yards on six carries.

Osage braces for a league road game against Blair Oaks in a battle of unbeaten, state-ranked squads next Friday.