Special teams provided the early scores and the defense took care of the rest for the Fort Osage football team.

Punt returns by Dez Griswold and Ky’Von Smith provided the scoring punch they needed and the front seven stuffed the run game while the secondary forced the turnovers as Fort earned a 21-6 homecoming victory against North Kansas City Friday.

Led by Antonio Garcia, Mason Middleton and Melu Tanumai the Fort defense absolutely shut down the Hornet running game in the first half, allowing just 19 total yards as North Kansas City’s effort to run it up the middle proved futile.

The Indians (2-4) also forced four turnovers, which included a fumble recovery by Garcia and interceptions of NKC quarterback Maxwell Franklin by Ma’a Acevedo, Blake Murphy and Kellen Neely.

“Everyone did their job,” Tanumai said. “We still haven’t hit our peak. We’re still growing. But yeah this was our best game so far.”

After the game, Garcia was given a sledgehammer, which is handed to the player with the biggest hit of the game. Tanuami said he wants it next.

“I’m going to take that from him, I’ll tell you that right now,” Tanumai said with a wide smile.

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