The Indians took on Francis Howell in the Class 5 State Championship game and came up short to the Vikings 49-21. The two teams battled on Dec. 2 at Faurot Field on the University of Missouri campus. Head Coach Brock Bult feels very proud of this team for their hard work and fight. 

“I was very proud of my kids,” Bult said. “The way they came out in the second half and they kept battling. A lot of kids could have quit in that situation, but ours didn’t.

The first quarter started off close with the Indians down by only one touchdown. Sophomore Ryver Peppers scored early with an 80 yard touchdown run. Peppers led the team with 191  rushing yards. The offense had a total of 209 passing yards with Senior Wide Receiver Christen Penamon leading the receiving corps with 44 yards. Senior Quarterback Greg Menne completed 11/19 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Menne appreciates his high school career and feels very honored to have played with this team.

“‘I’m very thankful this all happened,” Menne said. “Starting off at five and up until now I’ve always been a Fort Osage Indian, and I wouldn’t want to do what I’ve done over the years with anyone else.” 

The Indians defense tried to hold off the Vikings with a total of 47 tackles and one interception by Junior Landon Lamb. Junior Kicker Xander Shepherd also had a fumble recovery off of his own onside kick early to start the third quarter. Senior Safety Roman Tillmon led the team with 13 tackles. Tillmon thinks the Vikings quarterback had a really great game and the defense couldn’t stop him.

“Looking off film we knew he was a good player,” Tillmon said. “He was a good football player and we just weren’t ready for it.”

The Indians finished their long season with a record of 11-3 and the Class 5 State Runner-up trophy. This marks the third time in school history the team has brought home a second place state finish.