Ground game, defense carries Ozark over Branson

Another week, another defensive gem for the Ozark Tigers.

Seven days after a stuffing a last-minute Carl Junction rally, Ozark’s defense brought the lumber once again, downing Branson 28-16.
 
Even better for the Ozark faithful … the defense wasn’t the only bright spot on the evening.
 
Ozark deployed a punishing rushing attack throughout the game for which Branson had no answer. Keyed by Jack Hulse, Bradley Bonewell and Nate Burlage, the Tigers racked up a gaudy 403 yards on the ground.

PHOTOS: OZARK VS. BRANSON

With 134 yards on 20 carries, Hulse did a majority of the damage for Ozark. The senior quarterback scored twice on the ground and once through the air to speedster Connor Larkin.

“Tonight was all on the offensive line,” Hulse said. “They were pushing them back two yards off the line, so we got two free yards on every play. This week we were preaching getting a push off the ball. We needed to be the physical team on offense, and you know it showed out here.”
 
Ozark stormed out to a 21-point lead; however, the score might have been much tighter were it not for a series of miscues.
 
Plagued by critical penalties and turnovers, the Pirates fell victim to not one, but two touchdowns called back on flags and had a third drive killed by a costly interception.

On Branson’s first series, a Luke Masters 16-yard touchdown rush was negated by a holding penalty. To make matters worse, Ozark’s Solomon Douglas recorded a huge sack on the very next play to kill the drive.

Ozark head coach Chad Depee talked about the Tigers winning the battle in the trenches.
 
“We hang our hat on our defense,” Depee said.”That’s no secret. That being said, also tonight, it was a big challenge tonight for our kids up front to go, ‘You know what, we need to be able to pound the ball.’ They took that challenge, and I thought they played tremendously well.”

The victory avenges last season’s 41-7 loss in Branson and further solidifies Ozark’s big turnaround in Depee’s second year at the helm.
 
“The big difference here is the kids are playing their tails off,” Depee said. “They believe in each other, they believe in the system and, most importantly, the locker room is good. Don’t get me wrong right here, though … 7-41 was on our board all week long.”
 
Burlage finished with 95 rushing yards for the Tigers, and Bonewell chipped in with 84.
 
For Branson, the search continues for 2016’s first victory.
 
Held to just 88 yards on the ground, the Pirates were forced to take to the air early and often.

Quarterback Ryan Still threw for 286 yards and two scores in the loss, which Branson and coach Dan Henderson will hope to build upon moving forward.
 
Ozark (3-1) travels to Republic in Week 5, while Branson (0-4) heads west to take on Carl Junction.

Ozark – 28, Branson – 16
 
Ozark              7  14  7  0  —  28
Branson           0    3  7  6  —  16

Fourth quarter scoring
Branson           Luke Masters 12-yd TD rec from Still (2pt conversion failed)           28 – 16