7th Grade Indians beat the Pella Dutch 20-18 on the final play.
The Oskaloosa 7th Grade football team defeated Pella Tuesday night at Community Stadium
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Indian 7th grade football team raised their record to 3-0 after winning in dramatic fashion against Pella on Tuesday night at Community Stadium. During practice this week the Indians installed a hook and ladder play into the offense just in case they might need a last minute scoring play. As it turns out the Indians needed the play desperately. With four seconds remaining in the game and trailing 18-14 the Indians were faced with the tall task of going the distance of 65 yards in a single play to win the game. Although the team could never quite execute the play in practice the coaches sent in the play call. Tucker Nunnikhoven rolled out to the left side of the field and hit Izaya Strait on a 5 yard out. Strait did a great job of catching the ball and then executing a perfect lateral to Vincent Ramirez who was able to turn the corner and outrun two Dutch Defenders to the end zone and set off the wild celebration as time expired. The Indians seemed to be the better team all night but just couldn’t finish off plays offensively or defensively. Pella started the game on top by scoring on a long pass play. The Indians would later tie the game as Tanner DeKock scored on a 25 yard seam pass play. Neither team scored on the 2 pt conversion and the score was knotted 6-6 at halftime. In the second half Pella started with the ball, but Alex DeJong intercepted the pass attempt on the first play of the half. In the third quarter Oskaloosa and Pella both struggled to move the ball as the defenses dominated. Oskaloosa moved the ball to the Pella 20 yard line early in the fourth but Pella intercepted a pass and took it the distance to go ahead 12-6 as the defense again held on the point after try. Tucker Nunnikhoven would immediately return the ensuing kickoff 75 yards after a nice block by Chris Miller to tie it up. Vincent Ramirez added the 2pt conversion on a hard run off tackle as Oskaloosa went ahead 14-12. The Oskaloosa defense seemed to have the game under control but Pella converted a fourth and fourteen for a touchdown and appeared to have won the game leading 18-14. Oskaloosa had a long kick return by Alex Chapman and was moving in for the go ahead scored when a turnover in the red zone dashed most hope. The Oskaloosa defense made a final stand and allowed just enough time to set up the winning play. The Oskaloosa defense was led by Richard Phillips, Will Kiminek, Tanner DeKock, Vincent Ramirez, and Blake Van Veldhuizen.
In the B game Pella won 20-6. After allowing some early scores the Indian defense stepped up and played its best all year. Oskaloosa’s only score was a pass play from Keaton DeKock to Jaden Van Roekel. Logan Lockard, Zuhayer Mamun, Alex Hanna and Alex Chapman led the rushing attack. The B team was led in offensive line play by Josh Nord, Tyler Corcoran, Brandt Brown, Tyler Montalvo, Chase Anderson, and Brett Williams. The defensive leaders were Levi Fresquez, Stephen Terrell, Brandt Brown, Cooper James, and Kaden Seemann. Next up for Oskaloosa is a game Tuesday, October 2 at Newton at 4:15 pm.
