(image via Libby Benson)
Heading into their second to last game of the 2021 season, Osbourn Park looked to right the ship returning most of the fifteen absent starters from last week. Despite the returns, OP lost to crosstown rival Osbourn Park, 42-6.
Originally scheduled for the Friday prior but postponed due to rain, the teams played on a rare Monday and a short week with both having games this Friday.
Junior quarterback Ryan Westhoff expressed his enthusiasm to be back after missing a game.
"The foot felt felt great. I was just glad to be back on the field."
Osbourn Park would win the coin toss and choose to receive. A running into the kicker penalty by Osbourn would give the Yellow Jackets the ball back, but they would not be able to take advantage.
Both teams would trade the ball back and forth until Osbourn broke the ice at the 4:35 mark of the first quarter when senior quarterback Jakari Lewis ran it in from 16 yards out. They’d convert the extra point and go up 7-0.
Less than a minute later, Osbourn would have the ball back and Lewis scampered in from two yards out to put the visitors up, 14-0. Osbourn Park would turn the ball over on downs their next possession when a costly sack on fourth down gave the ball back to the Eagles.
Lewis would give OP’s defense fits all night, finding holes and eluding defenders at will. But junior linebacker Wyatt Hurley would track the former running back down for a sack, forcing and recovering a fumble in one swift motion. OP would get the ball with 9:01 to go in the half.
The Yellow Jackets would be forced to punt just over a minute later. Osbourn looked to score again- but this time on defense. They blocked a punt and took to the house, seemingly up three scores. Refs would call it back due to holding, placing the ball at Osbourn’s 20 yard line. Osbourn Park’s defense remained stout, turning away the Eagles for the time being.
Osbourn would strike again, this time through the air. Lewis found one of his receivers for a 51 yard touchdown as the visitors took a 21-0 lead into the half.
Lewis would find success on the ground twice in the third quarter with a pair of scores that totaled 131 yards (76,55) as the Eagles would head into the final quarter up 35-0.
Determined to put points on the board, Ryan Westhoff and company used a gritty fourth quarter drive with multiple fourth down conversions to stay alive. Westhoff would find senior receiver Nehemiah Rhodes from ten yards out with a tight spiral right over the defender where only Rhodes could snag the ball. They’d miss the extra point and remain down 35-6. Westhoff expressed his confidence in the senior receiver.
"I have a lot of trust in Nehemiah and his ability to catch the fifty/fifty balls, so when I see him one on one with the defensive back, I know who I'm throwing to."
Osbourn would cap the scoring off with a three yard score by Lewis late in the fourth quarter.
Heading into their final game of the season and Senior Night, Westhoff is optimistic about the team's chances to get another win.
"We're just looking to give these seniors a game to remember and put on a show for the fans who have shown their support throughout the season."
Osbourn Park (2-7) hosts Unity Reed (4-5) in their final game of the season this Friday for Senior Night as the game kickoffs at 7 pm.
For more on the team, visit their website and follow them on Twitter @OPHSfootball.
Games news and notes:
Osbourn Park’s halftime included the presentation of their 2021 Homecoming court as well as their inaugural 2021 Hall of Fame Class.
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Jakari Lewis would be involved on all of
Osbourn’s scoring plays, finishing with five rushing touchdowns and one passing.
His rushing scores alone would add up to 152 yards.
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Osbourn Park didn’t have any success on third
down conversions (0-15 to Osbourn’s 5-9) but were an impressive 5-10 on fourth
down.
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The Eagles would win the first down battle,
15-9.
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Junior defensive back Donovan Mullins would
lead OP with 7 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss.
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Other notable OP defensive players:
JR LB Tashawn Gresham: 6 tackles, 2 TFL
JR DB Wyatt Hurley: 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack,
1 FF, 1 FR
SR LB Uriel Chavez: 5 tackles, 1 TFL
SR DL Jakob Hancock: 5 tackles, 1 TFL
- Nehemiah Rhodes had the team’s only pass breakup and also recovered a fumble on special teams. On offense he was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. His busy night continued with 3 kick returns for 49 yards.
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Wyatt Hurley had the longest Yellow Jackets reception at 23 yards.
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An inexcusable block-in-the-back penalty by
an Osbourn player negated a 61 yard rushing touchdown by Jakari Lewis in the fourth
quarter. Lewis was inside the five yard line when the blatant penalty occurred.
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Osbourn totaled 7 penalties for 103 yards to
OP’s 5 for 35 yards.
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OP’s defense would force 3 turnovers (2
fumbles, 1 turnover on downs).
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