VERSAILLES - Heading into tonight's clash, School of the Osage and Versailles are in the same boat; teams that have struggled so far but are good enough to string some victories together late in the regular season and build momentum for the postseason.
The Osage Indians will play tonight at the Versailles Tigers in Tri-County Conference action. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
It will be Versailles' Homecoming game.
Osage comes in with a 2-4 overall record and a 1-3 conference mark. Versailles is still searching for its first victory at 0-6 and 0-4.
"I put Osage, California, Eldon and ourselves in the same category," Versailles coach Broc Silvers said. "I think we're all capable teams who can end the regular season with some wins before going into district."
Both teams are coming off losses to state-ranked opponents. Last week, Osage was beaten by Southern Boone 40-21, while Versailles lost to Boonville 48-21.
The Indians were in a competitive game for a while against Southern Boone, trailing 14-7 in the first quarter. However, the Southern Boone passing combo of quarterback Tyson Smith and wide receiver Blake Dapkus resulted in four touchdowns and it was quickly 27-7 heading into halftime.
Again, Osage closed to within a touchdown in the third quarter, only to be outscored 13-0 in the final 12 minutes.
Osage senior quarterback Drew Edwards finished with 177 passing yards while senior running back James Hutchcraft rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
"They got the ball first and scored and then got an on-side kick and scored, so it was 14-0 right away," Osage coach Devin Johnson said. "It was 27-7 and we had the ball first-and-goal at the 6 and can't score. If we score there at halftime, we've got a chance. I think we're progressing offensively. Defensively, we've got to improve."
Meanwhile, Versailles simply couldn't stop Boonville's Avian Thomas, who rushed for a school-record 371 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Coby Williams finished with 235 yards passing and a touchdown, and 78 yards rushing and two touchdowns to highlight the Versailles' attack in the game.
"Actually, I thought we played better defensively," Silvers said. "We had six tackles for losses, which is the most we've had this season. We just didn't tackle well in one-on-one situations. Offensively, we played OK, we just were shooting ourselves in the foot. Twice it could have been a one-touchdown game at halftime.
"(Thomas) was the only one with a carry, except for the quarterback on scrambles. That was their game plan going in."
Obviously, Williams will be the main man on the Indians' minds tonight.
Williams has completed 109-of-183 passes for 1,157 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions while rushing for 689 yards on 135 attempts and 12 touchdowns.
Senior wideout Dallas Waller has caught 57 passes for 607 yards and five touchdowns, while senior wideout Brayden Morrison has 18 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Junior wideout Michael Bell has 14 catches for 104 yards.
Senior linebacker Quinn Randall has 47 tackles, including 41 solo, while Williams, a safety, has 25 tackles and Waller, an end, 21.
"They're probably the most dangerous 0-6 team in the state," Johnson said of the Tigers. "Their schedule is very tough and they probably have the best quarterback in the conference.
"Williams runs the ball very well and has done some option game well. He throws left-handed, which is different. And overall he's a good athlete. Their line play has improved and they have a good, strong set of receivers. Waller is a tall, fast athlete who plays big. Morrison is a good receiver. It makes it tough on the defense.
"Defensively, they've struggled but are starting to show signs. They've given up some big scoring plays; they've just had some breakdowns. Offensively they score fast, so their defense is out on the field a lot. So, it's a bit deception."
For the Indians, Edwards has completed 55-of-107 passes for 775 yards to go along with six touchdowns and four interceptions.
Senior wideout Logan Havner paces the team with 28 receptions for 367 yards.
Hutchcraft has 430 rushing yards on 97 carries and three touchdowns.
Osage senior running back Jack Dulle is out with a knee sprain he suffered two weeks ago.
Hutchcraft, a linebacker, has 53 tackles, while senior lineman Rudy Escobar has 43 tackles and Edwards, a linebacker, has totaled 32.
"They are multifaceted; you've got to be ready for different types of offenses," Silvers said of Osage.
"They have a lot of returning players like Hutchcraft, Edwards and some good linemen. (Havner) has the majority of their receptions on the year and you've got to be aware of him at all times. Edwards has gotten better each year; he's a leader for them."
Silvers said he's not a big Homecoming guy.
"We know it's important for the kids," he said. "We tell the kids that Homecoming is for the people who have already played here. Our goal on Friday is to win a game."