Oostburg dominates Tigers in CLC opener
by Josh Jambor Review Correspondent
OOSTBURG – If the Oostburg Flying Dutchmen continue to play the way they did in Friday night’s a 50-16 pummeling of the Howards Grove Tigers, it is safe to say they can stand toe to toe with any team in the Central Lakeshore Conference or maybe even the state.
Oostburg, led by senior running back Luke Menzel, jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and never looked back in the CLC football opener for both teams. The Dutchmen improved to 3-0 overall and the Tigers fell to 0-3.
The first of those scores came off a 71-yard touchdown run by Menzel on the first play from scrimmage. The second score, which made it 14-0. came from another thrilling run from Menzel – this one a 74- yard blast up the middle.
“There was a big hole and I saw nothing but daylight. All the credit goes to my blockers,” said Menzel who rushed for a game-high 228 yards.
The Dutchmen also got it done in the air – scoring on a 19-yard throw from quarterback Marcus Buehler to wideout Mike Keller who made a great leaping grab in the second quarter. Keller had a big game on the defensive side of the ball as well with two interceptions.
“I really wanted this one. It was a great team effort,” said Keller.
This matchup was a big one for the two teams who are a pair of the early favorites to win the CLC.
“I am very proud of them. We played well and limited our mistakes. It’s one big step in the right direction,” said Oostburg head coach Scott Ring.
A disappointed Tiger head coach David Schmid thought his team lacked intensity.
“I give Oostburg a lot of credit. They played with more intensity,” Schmid said.
“It was disappointing because I didn’t think we played as hard as we could. I’m confident the kids will play harder.
“Our defense got beat up again. We’re struggling up the middle [against the run]. Their backs ran hard but we didn’t tackle very well,” Schmid observed.
Howards has surrendered 139 points in only three games. Howards Grove was led by Collin Horness who had 179 yards rushing, including a 54-yard scoring run in the second quarter.
| FOOTBALL
| | |
| HOWARDS | 16 | |
| GROVE | | |
| OOSTBURG 50 | |
HG Oos
First downs ...8 15
Rushing Yards………………..176 379
Passing Yards ..31 45
Comp-Att-Int………………..4-12-2 3-7-0
Penalties-Yards 6-50 5-30
Punts-Averages -- --
Fumbles-Lost………………….…2-2 1-0
Score by Quarters
Howards Grove………….0 8 0 8 – 16
Oostburg……………..….14 16 0 20 – 50
Scoring
Oos - Luke Menzel 71 run (run failed)
Oos - Luke Menzel 74 run (Luke Menzel run)
Oos - Mike Keller 19 pass from Marcus Buehler (Menzel run)
HG - Collin Horness 54 run (Horness run)
Oos - Menzel 1 run (Menzel run)
Oos - Dustin Veldboom 5 run (Run Failed)
HG - Mike Verfuerth 25 pass from Eric Dickmyer (Horness run)
Oos - Alex Stecker 29 run (run failed)
Oos - Colin Sheehan 34 run (Colin Sheehan run)
Individual Leaders
Rushing – Howards Grove, Collin Horness 22-179. Oostburg Luke Menzel 17-228, Jake Menzel 8-118
Passing – Howards Grove, Eric Dickmyer 4-12-2-31. Oostburg, Marcus Buehler 3-7-0-45 Receiving – Howards Grove, Mike Verfuerth 2-37. Oostburg, _________________ K_e_ll_e_r _1-_1_9_. __
