Fort Osage and Harrisonville
- Thread starter thetophat2021
- Start date
Different classes but these two seem almost like mirror images of each other. QB will be key for both going where their coaches clearly expect them to go this fall................
Fort opening with one of the more solid looking Kearney teams on both lines in recent memory (likely best since 2015 defensively with a better OL than that Championship year) will do nothing but help them barring a rash of injuries while this could have been a great year for Harrisonville to take on Maryville but that series has ended. Both are in very interesting leagues that will put them to quite the test as well.
Fort was one of my pre-season teams to watch that is not changing but perhaps overlooked HVille a bit. Both RBs should have MASSIVE seasons and both belong on everyone's 2024 radar.
Fort opening with one of the more solid looking Kearney teams on both lines in recent memory (likely best since 2015 defensively with a better OL than that Championship year) will do nothing but help them barring a rash of injuries while this could have been a great year for Harrisonville to take on Maryville but that series has ended. Both are in very interesting leagues that will put them to quite the test as well.
Fort was one of my pre-season teams to watch that is not changing but perhaps overlooked HVille a bit. Both RBs should have MASSIVE seasons and both belong on everyone's 2024 radar.
Really wish Fort could get a few games under their belt before tackling Kearney. Fort will be solid on defense as usual and they do have some weapons on offense other than Peppers..it'll just be a matter of can they get the ball to those other players. Their back up RB Ward is actally a really nice player as well. Also really curious to see how the offense looks under the new coordinator.
It is just opening week. Kearney's issues will be breaking in a new QB, promising as he reads and I've been told preseason, plus getting in sync offensively overall. I doubt this game is anywhere near a "runaway".
I think a lot of these boys on Kearney and Fort played against each other for many years before school ball took over. I've always thought Fort and Kearney have had the best youth development programs with various dads having the reigns through 7th grade. That continuity from an early age is something that differentiates both those programs from anyone else in the KC Metro and you can see that with the legacy of both programs. The amount of trips to state semifinal and championship games is quite remarkable for both programs over the last 20+ years.
My nephew, until this year thanks to work, was one of them. Yes indeed his little boy started circa Kindergarten-1st grade age playing over in SE Independence and I actually have a video of him scoring at Fort a couple of years ago. Going briefly to the midnight scrimmage last Friday it is staggering how many little boys are out from age 5-6 up!
Cannot wait to see the latest chapter unfold in just 10 days best of luck to both opener as it is (not gonna affect much of anything in my opinion unless this one somehow spreads way out).
Crystal ball can't tell you all the dynamics of a team. Last year was early, but K was down to 3rd String QB by 2Q, after it looked like it could be a K turbo clock in the 1Q. Lots of injured players. Yet, Peppers held to 32 yards rushing. Up front it was domination. Not sure about the impact of the new OC, but don't see that changing. 2022 game was the same- lines dominated by K. Not a benefit to Fort to play this game in week 1.
Recent history of K vs. Fort.
Kearney caught Fort a bit off guard in 2022 in my opinion (attended that one was absolutely stunned leaving). Scheduling a good opponent on Homecoming is never a good idea plus Fort is notoriously slower out of the gate. I don't put any real stock in 2020 that was the virus year.
We shall see. Fort is bringing quite a bit back but admit I really hate Platte County and their physicality up front not being this opener.
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PC pussed out. No, I think their schedule is tighter now with more teams in the conference.
Fort shouldn't have been caught off guard. Kearney beat Platte County's team loaded with college talent the week before. Between K and Smithville the next week (and the broken bone to their D1 running back), PC was never the same. Week 1 and 2 that year were bone crushing experiences for them. Literally.
Be completely honest given what Fort had on their roster vs. Kearney did you really expect that result? If so you would be the first I've spoken to anywhere who nearly did. What I will say, though, is it was step 2 of 3 announcing just how fast things were changing here in KMO. Back then I gave all the credit to said new HC Minnick truth is that Purple Wave of top kids were such a huge part and last year beyond showed that especially in the JC and Hillsboro games and that Wave just keeps going into this promising new season...............
I expected a Kearney W, yes. Peppers was young, so was Thompson. They had Fenner (who ironically Just-the-Jax said was the only D1 athlete on the field in their 2020 meeting. (K had three D1 athletes in that class) (6 total if you count the upcoming underclassmen that played.) Kearney QB was young and only went 2 for 8 in the game. But K line completely destroyed Fort's line. Then it was HAM time, and K slammed in two early TDs. 2022 was a sloppily finished missed opportunity.
The trick play that caught Fort completely off guard set the tone for the night and yes it was a brutal mismatch upfront that cost Menne about half the season if I recall right.
And the turnover,, when Menne was flushed to the right and threw a pick. A couple of players later, another HAM TD, to go with the first HAM package TD, and they were up by 21 If you thought that HAM package was good, wait til you see it this year.
Ruskin is now on 810Varsity. Brief but good preview of a program I believe is going to be much improved this fall.
They were vastly improved last year. I was shocked to see the yards they got on Smithville last year. Smithville (MO) (28-6). I think it was 14-6 at halftime. Smithville gave up 160 yards to Ruskin and three trips to the red zone in the first half of their game. That was much better than in 2022, when Ruskin could be scored on in one play drives.
They also had a fantastic opening drive at Kearney as you very likely recall. Had 2-3 top notch players for sure. That HC was absolutely renowned over in JoCo years back............
Back to Fort. I think they beat Platte County later in the season when it matters. Although some of the size of the line is a concern, they have a lot of returners on D and skilled players. When I see under 6-0 and 185 and 205 on the OL? But you can bet these are kids that have played a LOT of football in their life. And "undersize" for Thompson, doesn't hurt his game.
On K lines. Yes, look to be good and big. OL average about 255 and tall (three over 6'4"), DL 245. Athletic. Should be fun.
The last year I remember lines like this was 2010. That year's Staley regular season game is one of the standout ones of any here in KMO. Agree should be lots of fun to watch! These two Dowling transfer brothers read very well, too.
Interesting to see the line sizes with the previews.
Looks like K and Smithville are close
K O line slightly taller and 5 pounds less on average.
K D line 15 pounds per heavier. Same height.
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