Indians Come Up Short Against The Tigers

Oskaloosa Indians vs Grinnell Tigers – September 6, 2013.

Grinnell, Iowa – For the second consecutive week, the Oskaloosa Indians have suffered losses, this week to a strong Grinnell team with a 3rd year starting QB.

“They were a very fine football team, which we knew,” said Oskaloosa Head Coach Mike Sterner. “We told our kids, they have some very fine players, and a very fine team, but so do we.”

With that though, most consider the loss to Grinnell expected, but the surprise came from the fact that the game was not a blow-out as was predicted. “You know, we’re still not a great team yet, but we’re still taking strides forward. Our kids are still focused on being our best, and you know, we’re going to be a good team. I’d love to get a chance at these guys later.”

Another challenge to overcome for the young team is some recent injuries. “We’ve got a lot of injuries… We definitely lost some guys tonight through injury and through some suspected concussions and just some freak things that happen.”

The Tigers and Eli Dunne were the first to score, when Dunne completed the 16 yard TD pass to Luke Honold. The PAT kick by Christian Mertens was no good and the Tigers led 6-0 with 9:37 on the clock in the 1st.

The Indians responded quickly on a 65 yard run by Andrew Landgrebe with 9:26 on the board in the 1st quarter. The PAT kick by Nick Waters was good and the Indians were on top 7-6.

Jesse Van Dalen cruised into the end-zone for the Indians on a 15 yard QB keeper. The PAT run by Nate Van Veldhuizen came up short, and Oskaloosa was up 13-6 with 7:33 remaining in the first quarter.

The Tigers responded on a Bryce Lidtka run from 2 yards out with 5:33 remaining in the first. Mertens boots it through the uprights for a tie game at 13-13.

Landgrebe once again dashes in, this time from 9 yards out with 2:51 remaining in the first quarter. Waters kick is no good and the score is 19-13 in favor of the Indians.

Dunne and the Tigers respond to open the 2nd quarter as the 35 yard pass from Dunne to Honold once again. Mertens nails the PAT and Grinnell is up 20-19.

Grinnell is now on a run, once again finding the end-zone when Bryce Lidtka carries in from the 3 yard line. Mertense once again nails the PAT and Grinnell is up 27-19 with 8:55 remaining in the second quarter.

Lidtka once again finds the end-zone, this time on the 7 yard toss from Dunne. Mertense PAT kick is good and Grinnell is in command with a 34-19 lead.

Oskaloosa responds on the 29 yard Van Dalen pass to Ryder Curtis with 6 seconds remaining in the half. Waters PAT kick is good and the teams enter the half with Grinnell leading 34-26.

The third quarter belongs to Grinnell as Dunne connects on the pass to Mertens with 9:32 on the clock. Mertens finishes the job by kicking the PAT and Grinnell is up 41-26.

Grinnell’s final score comes on a pair of Lidtka carries. The first is a 2 yard and then an 8 yard run. Mertense nails both PAT’s and Grinnell has its largest lead of the night with 55-26 over Oskaloosa.

Oskaloosa answers back on a 1 yard run by Nate Van Velduizen. Waters PAT kick is good and Oskaloosa is down by 22 with 5:47 remaining in the ballgame.

With 20 seconds remaining in the game, QB Joe Sterner carries the ball 17 yards for the TD. Waters misses the kick and Grinnell’s lead is now 55-39.

Oskaloosa had one last surprise left in them when they recovered the kick-off. Sterner completes a 5 yard pass to Jeremy Schneider, and Waters kicks the PAT for the final score of 55-46 in favor of Grinnell.