Tigers outlast Blue Devils in home opener
Tigers battle Blue Devils in home opener
The Osmond Tigers football team used a twenty-two point third quarter to erase a twelve point deficit on their way to earning a 38-36 victory over the Wynot Blue Devils on Friday, September 7.
“Our team made a great effort throughout the game,” Tigers Coach Scott Morrison said. “They believe in each other and kept fighting.”
The scoring began in the first quarter with Anthony Heiman (Sr., QB/OLB) finding Justus Maertins (Jr., E/DB) on a 21-yard touchdown pass. Heiman ran in the two-point conversion.
Both scores were prompted by solid blocking on the line of scrimmage and in the backfield. Nick Reikofski (Sr., OL/LB), Alexis Solorzano (Jr., OL/DL), Landon Stelling (So., OL/DL), Zach Huwaldt (So., E/DL), Josh Gansebom (Jr., B/OLB), and Connor Gutz (So., B/LB).
Despite jumping to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter, the Tigers found themselves down 20-8 going into halftime.
The Blue Devils scored twelve points in the second quarter, thanks to the combination of Landon Wieseler and Nate Wieseler who accounted for all three of the Wynot’s scores in the first half.
“I am proud of our team for their composure and patience when down on the scoreboard going into the half,” Morrison said. “Nobody was panicked. It seemed like they knew what they needed to do and were ready execute it.”
Going into the third quarter, the Tigers wasted little time in finding the endzone. They marched down the field and scored on a 45-yard run by Anthony Heiman.
The play featured solid blocking from the line, a couple nice downfield blocks, and some a combination of shifty moves and power from Heiman.
After getting the ball back on a defensive stop, the Tigers scored on 9-yard pass from Heiman to Maertins.
With the score, the Tigers reclaimed the lead (22-20) and would not relinquish it for the remainder of the game, though the Blue Devils would keep fighting.
Later in the quarter the Tigers scored on a 15-yard run by Heiman. Solorzano, Reikofski, and Landon Stelling did a great job of blocking up front and giving Heiman a crease in the middle of the field.
Heiman then found Josh Gansebom in the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion. This gave the Tigers a 30-20 lead.
After the Blue Devils scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass from L. Wieseler to Anthony Haberman (30-28), the Tigers had to continue to execute, which they did.
On the ensuing kickoff, Gansebom received the ball at the six yard line and use his blockers to break into the open field. He ran the ball 74 yards for a touchdown, a ten yard line, 38-28 lead.
“This was a huge play for our team,” Morrison said. “It was supposed to be a Hands Team return where we were just going to jump on the ball. It turned out to be well-synchronized return.”
The Blue Devils rallied again and scored on a 17-yard screen pass from L. Wieseler to Nate Wieseler.
The Tigers used the opportunity to advance down the field and ultimately run the clock out.
“Our guys stayed aggressive kept moving forward,” Morrison said. “We knew if Wynot got the ball back, it would be tough to contain them, so our guys took it upon themselves to stay on the attack.”
Mason Bykerk had a nice night. He definitely looked more comfortable. Logan Stelling (Jr., OL/DL) had a nice game. Patrick Vinson (Fr., FB/LB) played well at inside linebacker. His pursuit showed improvement as the game went along.
Bryan Solorzano made two nice tackles on kickoff team.
Moving on to next week, the Tigers travel to Laurel to compete against the LCC Bears.
