William Chrisman football head coach Scorpio Horn was born in 1981, the same year the Bears last put together a winning season.

With Friday’s 12-10 gut-check victory over Raytown South on homecoming at Independence All-School Stadium, Chrisman remained unbeaten at 5-0 and moved within one win of assuring its first winning season in 35 years.

“We’re trying to be a little bit better than my birth year,” Horn said.

The Bears were outgained by nearly 100 yards (357-263), didn’t record a first down in the first and third quarters and were penalized eight times, but their defense came up with three turnovers and an early stop on downs in the red zone.

But they didn’t allow anything easy for the Cardinals (2-3), who had 11 penalties themselves and didn’t score their touchdown until 1:45 remained in the fourth.

“Coach Willie (Horn, Scorpio’s brother) and our defense, I don’t know what he said to them to get them pumped up,” Horn said, “but to hold Raytown South to 10 points, they did a (heck) of a job.

“Bend but don’t break, that’s his philosophy. We’ve had six stops on the 1-yard line this year. They play with so much intensity, and it’s awesome.”

Raytown South’s touchdown, a 1-yard keeper by Dallas Hannah, came two plays after Tyree Sorrells hauled in a 67-yard catch to the 1. Chrisman then gained a pair of first downs to run out the clock, including Jordon Woods’ 34-yard scamper on an option pitch.

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