Osmond Too Much For EPPJ In Homecoming Loss

Osmond's high-powered offense guided the Tigers to an 80-8 victory over Elgin Public/Pope John's football team Friday evening during EPPJ’s homecoming game.

"I thought we came out right away and battled hard," stated EPPJ coach Randy Eisenhauer. "With eight minutes (gone in the first) we were down 14-0. Our kids came and battled right away, but then we got put in a hole and it went downwards from there."

It was all Osmond from the start, led by its dual-threat quarterback Anthony Heiman.

The senior gunslinger record more than 200 yards on the ground, more than 100 yards through the air and six total touchdowns in the first half.

After a rough offensive start, EPPJ finally got its offense going late in the second quarter.

The Wolfpack drove all the way to the Tigers' 11-yard line thanks to 37 rushing yards by Hunter Reestman during the drive.

With four ticks remaining in the half, Conor Ramold found Reestman at the one yard line, but the Osmond defender pushed Reestman out of bounds before he reached the pylon as time expired in the half.

Osmond added three more rushing touchdowns in the second half to extend its lead.

EPPJ broke its two-game scoreless streak when Reestman scored from a yard out in the fourth. Ramold found Adam Dreger for the two-point conversion on the ensuing play.

For the Wolfpack, this was the first time since week two EPPJ had all 14 players suited up.

"It's nice," Eisenhauer said. "For the first time since week two, we had all 14 guys back. During that time when you don't have everyone here and only 11 or 12 kids, it takes a toll on you. The kids keep battling and we had some good things happen to us tonight. We have to go back and finish the year."

Osmond scored on every drive and six of its 11 scores were 30 yards or more. Heiman led the Tigers with nearly 400 yards of total offense, three passing touchdowns and four rushing scores. Josh Gansebom, Connor Gutz, Bryan Solorzano and Patrick Vinson each tallied rushing touchdowns, while Justus Maertins had two receiving scores and Gansebom caught a TD pass.

Reestman rushed for 98 yards and the lone touchdown for the Wolfpack. Kyle Schumacher rushed for 39 yards, Ramold passed for 22 yards and Dreger caught a pass for 15 yards.

Elgin Public/Pope John wraps up its season Thursday against Winside at 7 p.m.

"I always tell my kids I don't want us to ever quit," Eisenhauer concluded. "I don't care if I got an undefeated team or if I got a team with one win or no wins. They must always battle and that's my thing. I always say effort and energy goes a long way. That's what we're going to preach next week and hopefully we can play a good game next week."