Tigers open season against Wausa
Tigers open season against Vikings
Launch the second image gallery playerThe Osmond Tigers football team began their 2018 football season with a road win against the Wausa Vikings.
The Tigers jumped to a quick first quarter lead and, despite attempts from a solid Wausa crew, they held on to win 62-36.
“It was nice to just get out and compete against another team,” Tigers coach Scott Morrison said. “We were fortunate to a chance to play Wausa. They are an opponent we respect and that will do well this year.”
The first quarter saw the Tigers get a stop against an all-state caliber quarterback Austin Hegge, who proved to be a formidable runner and passer."
Beginning with their opening drive, the Tigers scored game’s first twenty-six points. These came in swift succession.
Quarterback Anthony Heiman (Sr.) his Josh Gansebom on a 61-yard pass for a touchdown. He then found Zach Huwald on a 47-yard pass.
The Vikings then snapped the ball through their own endzone for a safety.
Heiman also found teammate Justus Maertins on a deep pass play for a touchdown. This provided the Tigers with a 26-0 lead.
Though they were down, the Viking clawed their way back by scoring three of the game next four touchdowns to bring the score to 32-20.
“We needed the Vikings to be good, so we could push ourselves to be as good as we can be,” Morrison said. “After the Vikings rallied, we were in a game again!”
One of the biggest catalyst’s for the Wausa resurgence was an interception returned to for a touchdown by Ghatlain Hegge who tipped a pass, caught it, and ran it in for a touchdown.
Just when the game had reached the 32-20 point, Heiman returned the ball 73 for a touchdown. With the 40-28 lead, Tigers linebacker Patrick Vison jumped on a fumble.
This led to a 63-yard pass from Hemain to Maertins. The Tigers went into halftime with a 48-20 lead.
While the second wasn’t quite as eventful as the first half, it was still a great half. Everyone on both sides go in the game and represented their communities with pride.
The Tigers came out ready to take care of business in the third.
They scored on the opening drive of the half and then once one more after a Wausa score. Heiman scored on a 1-yard run and then found Huwaldt for a 47-yard run and catch. This built the Tigers lead to 62-28.
Wausa added a touchdown in the fourth, but could not must enough points to catch up.
Overall, Anthony Heiman has a monster game. He scored twenty-four of the Tigers’ points, adding over 500 all-purpose yards.
This was thanks to a dynamic core of Tigers, especially those on the line. Senior Nick Reikofski is the leader of the group. He proved his toughness by playing almost every single snap, despite being close to cramping for much of the second half.
Juniors Alexis Solorzano and Landon Stelling had solid games. Logan Stelling also played quite a bit on the line and held up well.
These guys paved the way for the Tigers to gain over 250 yards. Heiman ran for 138 yards, while Gansebom (F ran for forty-nine yards and Connor Gutz (So.) ran for forty-five yards.
Bryan Solorzano and Patrick Vinson both carried the ball for the Tigers. Hunter Beacom (Fr.) got in a few snaps.
Gansebom was on the receiving end of 122 yards on three receptions. Maertins also caught three passes for ninety-three yards. Huwaldt had two catches for eighty-eight yards.
Mason Bykerk (Jr.) played well at the Y position. Parker Johnson (So.) and Blake Bahr (So.) also played some snaps offensively.
Defensively the Tigers played with effort and aggression. They rallied to the ball and had some fun!!
Reikofski played a strong game defensively. He led the Tigers with eighteen tackle points. Gansebom earned thirteen tackle points. Justus Maertins flew all over the place, had twelve tackles, and an interception.
Anthony Heiman had two interceptions. Alexis Solorzano had nine tackles and pursued well. Zach Huwaldt had eleven tackles, including one for a loss and a fumble recovery.
Logan Stelling was also on the line.
Patrick Vinson had a good debut; he had eleven tackles and a fumble recovery.
The Tigers now have a bye week this week! They will play Wynot on Friday, September 7. Good luck, Tigers!!
