Fort Osage couldn’t have been in a better position to win.

The Indians had all the momentum after taking the lead on a touchdown and a two-point conversion with 2:12 remaining in the game.

Antonio Garcia’s sack of Staley quarterback John Raybourn, an incomplete pass and a dropped interception by the Indians led to a fourth-and-17 for the No. 2 state-ranked Falcons. It’s a situation that’s extremely difficult to convert on offense.

Staley found a way.

Raybourn scrambled and found an open 6-foot-4 tight end in Zach Elam as he worked his way open next to the left sideline for a 26-yard catch and a first down at the Fort 23. That eventually set a game-winning 19-yard touchdown pass from Raybourn to JD Benbow, who juggled the ball then caught it with 46 seconds left. The Falcons followed with a two-point conversion and held off Fort Osage for a 22-15 Suburban Middle Six football victory Friday at Staley High School.

“They made the play and we didn’t,” Fort Osage coach Brock Bult said of the fourth-and-17 conversion. “It wasn’t just that play, we dropped a pick earlier in the drive that would have won it for us. If we make that play, that one doesn’t ever happen.

“They have great receivers and a great quarterback. (Raybourn) has the ability to scramble, and hopefully we get another shot at them.”

This came after Staley had appeared to put the game away. Late in the fourth, the Falcons had the ball on the Indians’ 10-yard line. Running back Jaden Moss churned for 9 yards and it appeared he was going to fall forward for a touchdown and put his team up 20-7. However, he fumbled the ball at the goal line and Fort Osage (4-1) recovered in the end zone to give itself new life.

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