Grinnell Hands Indians Second Defeat
The Oskaloosa Indian Varsity Football team suffered its first loss at the new Community Stadium at Lacey Complex Friday night against Grinnell.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Grinnell Tigers, lead by quarterback Eli Dunne, made their way to the new Community Stadium at the Lacey Complex Friday night, fresh off a season opening victory.
Oskaloosa was hosting its home opener and it was also parents night for the team. It wasn’t enough to boost the Indians over the hard charging Tigers, and Grinnell claims the first visiting team victory at the new stadium.
The first quarter had Grinnell putting itself on the clock quickly with a pass from Dunne to Joe Nowasell for a 24 yard TD, with 9:28 left in the first quarter. The PAT kick by Christian Mertens was good. Grinnell 7 to Oskaloosa’s nothing.
A couple of minutes later, Grinnell once again scores. This time they score on a 42 yard field goal by Christian Mertens with 7:32 remaining on the clock, making the score 10-0 Grinnell.
Now the third of Grinnell’s six straight scoring opportunities has Bryce Lidtka carrying the ball 21 yards for the TD. With the PAT kick good from Mertens, the Tigers were up 17-0 with 5:07 remaining in the first quarter.
Once again, Grinnell’s Eli Dunne connects. This time it is to Christian Mertens for the 19 yard TD, but Mertens PAT was no good, giving Grinnell the score of 23-0 over the Indians.
The first quarter belonged to Grinnell and they ended it with a 31 yard run by Kajuan Stalling with 0:44 remaining on the game clock in the first quarter. The PAT kick by Mertens was no good, giving Grinnell a commanding lead of 29-0 over the Indians.
The second quarter continued the Tiger domination of the Indians when Dunne connects on the pass once again to Christian Mertens for the 14 yard TD, and this time, Mertens makes good on the PAT, giving Grinnell a 36-0 lead over Oskaloosa.
Oskaloosa places itself on the scoreboard after six consecutive scoring drives by the Tigers. Oskaloosa’s Jesse Van Dalen connects on the pass to Tyce Sarver for the 27 yard TD with 2:45 remaining on the clock in the second quarter. Jonah Renter connects on the PAT kick for a score of 36-7, Grinnell.
The final scoring drive of the half belonged to Grinnell when Bryce Lidtka carried the ball in from two yards out with just 48 seconds remaining in the half. Mertens connected on the PAT giving Grinnell a substantial 43-7 lead heading into the locker room.
The second half started with the clock running continuously because of the sizable lead Grinnell had. In Iowa High School football, a 35 point deficit in the second half trips the mercy clock.
The only score of the second half came in the third period when Eli Dunne connected to Zach McGriff on a 16 yard TD with 5:08 remaining in the third period. The PAT kick by Mertens was good and gave a lead of 50-7 for the Tigers of Grinnell, which would be the final score of the game.
