Tigers Show Promise Before Paola Pulls Away in Fourth Quarter

FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Fort Scott opened its season with plenty of encouraging moments Friday night at Frary Field, but a strong fourth-quarter push allowed Paola to escape with a 34–21 victory.

The final score does not tell the entire story of a game in which the Tigers led 15–14 at halftime and extended that advantage to 21–14 midway through the third quarter.

Quarterback Dredyn Marlow helped lead the Fort Scott offense with one passing touchdown and another score on the ground. Creed Clayton also found the end zone for the Tigers, while Fort Scott’s defense repeatedly gave its offense opportunities to build an early lead.

Cole Doherty delivered one of the night’s strongest individual performances. Doherty assisted on three tackles and intercepted Paola quarterback Stein twice, helping the Tigers slow the Panthers and maintain momentum through much of the first three quarters.

Fort Scott carried a one-point advantage into halftime even after spotting the Panthers the first 14 points of the game. Along with a 1 point lead going into halftime, the Tigers were able to stretch its lead to seven during the third quarter. Paola eventually found its rhythm, however, using its size and physicality to wear down the Tigers before pulling away in the fourth.

Head coach Jonathan Stark addressed the late-game difference during Tuesday night’s edition of Coach’s Corner. Stark credited Paola for wearing Fort Scott down and said conditioning would be an increased point of emphasis during the following week of practice.

Although the Tigers were unable to finish the opener with a victory, the game provided a glimpse of what this team can become. Fort Scott created turnovers and produced explosive scoring plays before the game became tied with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter against a physical Paola team.

The next step will be turning those promising stretches into a complete four-quarter performance.

Fort Scott will now prepare for its first road test of the season when the Tigers travel to Parsons for Week 2. Parsons defeated Fort Scott last season, giving the Tigers another source of motivation as they pursue their first victory of the new campaign.

Be sure to read our upcoming game preview for a closer look at the Tigers’ Week 2 matchup with the Parsons Vikings.

Tiger football can be heard live on All Hit 103.9 FM and watched on Fort Scott TV on YouTube. Episodes of Coach’s Corner can also be watched live or replayed through Fort Scott TV.