Osbourn Park Stung by Freedom's Late Score

Osbourn Park head coach Reggie Scott huddles with his team. (Photo via Brian Westhoff)

Coming off a tough 12-7 loss at home, the Osbourn Park Yellow Jackets were hungry to break their recent three game skid on the road versus the Freedom Eagles. Their gritty effort fell short as Freedom won late, 13-6. 

The low-scoring game was a marathon as both defenses were stout and the offenses would often struggle to capitalize. OP would win the toss and choose to receive, but wouldn't be able to take advantage. On Freedom's opening drive, Yellow Jacket junior defensive back Donovan Mullins forced a fumble and fellow junior defensive back Ryan Westhoff recovered at the 8 minute mark of the opening stanza. The Yellow Jackets responded with a turnover on downs with 4:15 remaining in the first quarter. 

Senior Ryan Westhoff recovers a fumble on defense. (photo via Brian Westhoff)

Freedom gave OP a scare at the 3:50 mark when junior quarterback Kevin Barton connected with senior tight end Cole Reedsnyder for a 74 yard touchdown pass. A holding call would negate it. 

A bright spot on offense for OP was junior receiver Wyatt Hurley. Hurley quickly racked up six catches for 50 yards, establishing OP's passing game early. He would unfortunately have to exit the game in the first half after sustaining a hard hit to the chest/ribs running a route across the middle. Osbourn Park junior quarterback Ryan Westhoff's 31 passing attempts were his most all season. 

Thomas Pullen scores on a seven yard touchdown rush. (Photo via Brian Westhoff)

OP moved the chains all night, compiling 15 first downs. With 10:37 left in the first half, they were in field goal range. The attempt failed, as the snap led to a fumble. The Yellow Jackets would turn it over two more times before halftime with an interception and a turnover on downs. Freedom's final first half possession ended with an interception by Donovan Mullins. Mullins finished the game with four tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. 

Freedom would finally break the ice in the third quarter with a quarterback sneak from a yard out by Kevin Barton. The extra point would be blocked as the score remained 6-0. 

The Yellow Jackets answered on their very next drive when junior running back Thomas Pullen ran it in from seven yards out with 5:31 to go in the third quarter. OP's two point conversion attempt failed, and the game was once again tied at 6-6. Pullen finished with 91 yards on 26 carries with the one touchdown. On defense he had a blocked punt, fumble recovered and two tackles, including one tackle for loss. 

Senior receiver Nehemiah Rhodes with a clutch 25 yard catch, OP's longest completion of the night. (Photo via Brian Westhoff)

Freedom senior running back Nathan Chen would scamper from 34 yards out, but once again a holding call would nullify it. 

The two teams would continue trading the ball back and forth in the final quarter. Ryan Westhoff came up with a huge pass breakup which led to Freedom turning it over on downs. Unable to get anything going, OP punted it back to Freedom. With 31 seconds left, Kevin Barton found Chen on an 89 yard screen pass which sealed the game for the home team. 

Osbourn Park (2-5) looks to bounce back on the road versus Battlefield (7-0) this Friday night, October 22nd at 7 pm. 

Game notes: 

- OP's 15 first downs topped Freedom's 9

- Freedom had 3 turnovers to OP's 4

- Freedom had 11 penalties totaling 120 yards. The Yellow Jackets had 7 for 35 yards. 

- Kavon Moxley had 3 punts, averaging just over 30 yards per punt. 

- Neither team excelled on third down: OP (5-17) Freedom (3-10)

- OP was 4-6 on fourth down and the Eagles were 0-1.

- Junior linebacker Bryson Thompson led the Yellow Jackets with 10 tackles including one TFL. 

- Senior Nehemiah Rhodes had 4 catches for 49 yards, including OP's longest completion at 25 yards. 

- OP finished 1-3 in the red zone.

For more on the Yellow Jackets, visit their website and follow them on Twitter @OPHSfootball.