Tigers face test at Plainview
Statistics @ PlainviewTigers survive test in Plainview
PLAINVIEW—The Osmond Tigers football team defeated the Plainview Pirates 50-34 at Plainview on Friday, September 28.
Despite falling behind 8-0 in the first quarter, the Tigers battled their way to take a 28-14 lead into the second half.
The Tigers outscored the Pirates 22-16 in the second half, emerging victorious behind the Tiger Hogs (Osmond’s offensive line nick-named by offensive line coaches Cory Lenton and Eli Neitzel).
This crew includes Nick Reikofski (Sr.), Alexis Solorzano (Jr.), Landon Stelling (Jr.), Justus Maertins (Jr.), Zach Huwaldt (So.), and Logan Stelling (Jr.). (Connor Gutz (So.), Josh Gansebom (Jr.) and Mason Bykerk (Jr) all work har do.
“Our line was great tonight!” Tigers Coach Scott Morrison said. “Plainview could put as many guys in the box as they wanted, and our guys were still making a push time and time again.”
Anthony Heiman (Sr.) was outstanding with the ball in his hands. He ran for over three hundred yards and six touchdowns on more than forty carries.
“Anthony was a work horse tonight,” Morrison. “He ground out every carry, giving each his best.”
The Tigers found themselves down early, as the Pirates capitalized on a first quarter Osmond touchdown.
The Pirates scored on a long passing play immediately after they picked up a Tiger fumble. The Pirates other score in the half came on a long pass play just before the half.
“I was really proud of defense throughout the night,” Morrison said. “Despite giving up a few big plays, we played pretty consistently from the beginning of the game.”
Headed into the third quarter, the Tigers fought against a renewed Plainview squad, but ultimately kept on the path and kept fighting to preserve a lead.
The Pirates came out and scored on their first drive in the second half, but the Tigers remained focused and kept working hard.
Overall the Tigers outscored the Pirates 14-8 in the third quarter, carrying a 42-22 lead into the fourth, where the Pirates would make it interesting.
Plainview scored twice against the Pirates in the fourth, but the Tigers were able together a long, smashmouth-type drive that gave them their lone touchdown of the quarter.
Plainview last possession saw them with the ball down 50-34 with just under four minutes to go. The Tigers defense stood firm as Nick Reikofski intercepted a pass to all but seal the game.
The Tigers earned a first down on their possession and then ran out the clock.
Several players played well defensively for the Tigers including Alexis Solorzano who mixed and matched between nose guard and defensive end! His was in great position all night.
Zach Huwaldt also went back and forth between those positions and started playing better and better as the game went on.
Landon Stelling was consistent at end; Logan Stelling jumped in as a nose guard for several reps. Connor Gutz and Patrick Vinson both played a little as nose guard as well.
Josh Gansebom did well in coverage and made some great tackles on the edge. Justus Maertins had a solid game overall, including an interception where he fully extended in the air and landed with a foot inbounds. He also had a couple pass deflections.
Anthony Heiman played well as an outside backer. He came up and made several plays against the run, and he covered the receivers well on his side.
Special teams was solid overall. The Kickoff team put the ball where they wanted to. Mason Gansebom and Parker Johnson (So.) both played well.
The Tigers will move on to play host to Winside on Thursday, October 4.
