OPH played Cerro Gordo on Friday, September 7 at Palestine. They came out very strong on the kickoff, and were making some great blocks right off the bat. Troy Metzger and Levi Beard were making some good runs up the field getting consistent first downs. Eventually OPH was stopped before the end zone and was forced to punt. Cerro Gordo had a good punt return gaining them mileage up the field. Connor Potts had an excellent pass block which could have been a touchdown for Cerro Gordo. A few running plays and a pass put Cerro Gordo 10 yards from the end zone.

The next play a fumble was caused and recovered giving OPH the ball back. This did not last long as we were forced to punt the ball soon after. Cerro Gordo had another excellent punt return and was nearing the end zone. Another pass put them at the 15 yard line, where they rushed until scoring a touchdown. They made the extra point making it 7-0 Cerro Gordo.

In the 2nd quarter there wasn’t a whole lot of action, but you could definitely start seeing the mistakes that were being made. There was not enough blocking on either team, and there were missed tackles from not wrapping up. By the end of the quarter Cerro Gordo scored another touchdown and an extra point, now making the score 14-0. Both teams were visibly tired and ready for a break at half time.

When half time was over and the third quarter started, it was pouring down rain. Nobody on either team was throwing the ball now. Cerro Gordo was blitzing linebackers and OPH didn’t know how to handle it. The linebackers were shooting holes and causing havoc for the running backs and the QB. Each team was getting accustomed to the rain and working out the kinks that were now happening. Tackles were being broken, and a huge amount of fumbles were starting to be made. The end of the third quarter was still 14-0.

When the fourth quarter started, mistakes were still being made. Cerro Gordos’ running back was making great yardage down the field. Cerro Gordo kept sending blitzes, and forcing the line to fall in, leaving holes for OPH running backs slim to none. A punt was forced giving Cerro Gordo the ball. Eventually after a few stops, they were able to score another touchdown and extra point leaving the final score 21-0.

After the game a few of our players agreed with what had happened. “We need to work on our offensive line making blocks and defense reading keys,” said Troy Metzger.

Piper Griffin, the starting center, said, “We really need to start learning how to block blitzes better.”

The next game is on Friday, September 14 at Wateska starting at 7 o’clock.