Smithville got everything it could handle and then some from Raytown South on Friday.
The Warriors (5-1) needed someone to step up in its 28-12 win. That someone was Roman Roske.
Roske had two interceptions and one rushing touchdown in the win. Smithville coach Jason Ambroson said Roske has made the most of his opportunities this season.
“The thing that is absolutely awesome about him (Roske), is that he makes the energizer Bunny look worthless,” Ambroson said. “He wants to play football; he loves playing football. He loves competing every single day and when you have that kind of energy out of someone it’s fun to see it transfer out here.”
Raytown South opened the game in impressive fashion with an 8-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by a Mylen Simmons 13-yard run to give the Cardinals an early 6-0 lead.
Smithville answered with a long drive of its own on its opening possession of the game. The Warriors were able to convert several key fourth-and-shorts to extend the drive. Smithville quarterback Jake Shaffer called his own number, and he scampered his way into the end zone with a 10-yard run to give Smithville a 7-6 lead.
After forcing Raytown South to go 3-and-out on its ensuing possession, the Warriors wasted no time scoring, as Shaffer found Max McKenzie for a 24-yard touchdown to push the lead to 14-6.
Roske made sure Smithville didn’t lose any of the momentum, as he picked off Sheldon Locke to give the Warriors prime field position. Two plays later, Smithville capitalized on South’s misfortune as Shaffer hit a wide-open McKenzie for a 32-yard touchdown.
“We were in one of our coverages and I saw that quick arrow, and I just jumped it,” Roske said of his interception. “I just made a play.”
Trailing 21-6 and looking for a spark, the Cardinals were able to string together a lengthy drive to cut the deficit to 21-12 as Locke dashed his way into the end zone with a 19-yard run.
Smithville put the game out of reach as Roske plunged his way into the end zone from the 3-yard line to give the Warriors a 28-12.
“Week in and week out, we’re going to get everybody’s best shot,” Ambroson said. “We have to get better at doing different things. Tonight, we didn’t do as good of a job as we would've liked in the run game (it’s a part of learning on the fly).”
