WILLARD — A jubilant Ray Godfrey beamed with pride on Friday, September 4, as he celebrated his inaugural win as head coach of the Ozark football team. The squad delivered a decisive 48-12 victory against Willard, marking a significant moment in Godfrey's coaching career.
The atmosphere was electric as Godfrey embraced his players and shared the joy of the moment with his assistant coaches. For him, this victory transcended personal achievement. "I just feel great for the kids," Godfrey expressed. "God put me in an opportunity to take over, and the kids came out and did great."
Godfrey's rapport with his players has quickly become apparent. Known for his attentiveness and respect, he commands the respect of his team while pushing them to excel. Junior running back Braxton Bell praised Godfrey, stating, "He’s a great coach, I like him a lot. He helps us get through our mistakes and he’s ready to lead us to a winning season."
Bell had a standout performance during the game, scoring two rushing touchdowns. His second-quarter touchdown showcased his determination as he broke through three tackles on his way to the end zone. Reflecting on the play, Bell said, "When I hit the spin move and I took it all the way, that was my favorite one. I’m not the shiftiest guy, so I surprised myself."
In addition to Bell's impressive performance, junior running back Kaiden Wirtmiller also contributed significantly with two touchdowns. Jet Easley added to the scoring with a rushing touchdown executed from a wildcat formation, further demonstrating the team's offensive depth.
Quarterback Caden O’Donnell played a pivotal role in the victory, throwing two touchdown passes. One of his highlights came during a broken play when he rolled away from pressure and launched a deep pass to wide receiver Westin Samson, who made a remarkable catch in traffic for a 46-yard touchdown. O’Donnell later connected with Easley for a 10-yard touchdown pass in the second half.
Ozark's defense set the tone early in the game, showcasing their youth and vigor. The defensive line, composed entirely of underclassmen, made significant contributions with standout performances from Reed Vesely, Jameson Medina, Lincoln Jones, Jacob Beasley, and Jordan Vogler, who all recorded crucial stops. Godfrey praised their efforts, stating, "The defensive line has a lot of depth. Coach (Sidney) Rone does an amazing job with them. It’s fun to see them play."
The Ozark defense was relentless throughout the game, forcing four turnovers, including three fumbles, which highlighted their aggressive play style. Special teams also played a critical role, as Willard struggled with two botched punts, giving Ozark advantageous field position.
Willard managed to score their first touchdown in the first half, with quarterback Carlos Begay connecting with Luke Thomas for a long pass. Running back James Slaughter added another touchdown for Willard late in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to challenge Ozark's dominance.
The victory was a cause for celebration among the Ozark players, who expressed their appreciation for Godfrey's leadership. When asked about his players' sentiments, Godfrey humorously remarked, "You might ask them that at practice someday. They may not say that."
Looking ahead, Ozark will host Webb City, who currently holds a 2-0 record, on Friday, September 11, while Willard will travel to face Glendale, who is still searching for their first win at 0-2.
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