Indians End Season with Loss to Xavier

by Wade Steinlage

Cedar Rapids–The Oskaloosa football team closed out a tough 2022 campaign last Friday with a 52-6 loss to Xavier in Class 4A District 4 action.

OHS (1-8, 0-5 District 4) was outgained 455-224 by the Saints (9-0, 5-0 District 4), including 152 yards through the air.

Unfortunately, any hope of a monumental season-ending upset was dashed early. The hosts scored on the first play of the game and then tacked on three more scores to pull out to a 28-0 advantage after one quarter of play.

Meanwhile, it took Oskaloosa until its third drive to move into Xavier territory. The fourth possession, which covered 58 yards in 14 plays, looked promising as the pigskin was pushed to the Saints’ 14-yard line. Unfortunately, Trevor Willett was picked off at the eight-yard line and the ball was returned the distance.

With the score 42-0 at halftime, the second half went by quickly with the running clock rule. No points were added in the third period, but after Xavier connected on a field goal, the Indians used a pair of a big plays–a run by Tatum Westercamp and a pass from Parker Lewis to Wyatt Grubb–to get to near midfield. Lewis then completed a toss to Waylon Bolibaugh and the senior covered the remaining yards to put OHS on the board with a 55-yard touchdown.

Xavier added a score in its final drive to cap the evening.

Willett finished 12-for-23 for 82 yards, while Lewis was 2-for-5 for 70 yards. Grubb led OHS in receptions (six for 44 yards), while Bolibaugh tallied the most yards (67 on four grabs).

Westercamp topped the ball carriers with 59 yards on 13 rushes.

Defensively, Westercamp and Maddux Ashman both recorded five tackles, while Bolibaugh and Donavan King each managed a tackle for loss in the season finale.