Labette County’s defense proved to be too tough for the Trojan offense on Friday night as they held them to just 101 yards of total offense in the 49-0 win. Senior Linebacker Rogan Bruce led the massive stat-line for the Grizzlies D with 16 total tackles (11 solo). The defense as a unit ripped through the opposing line all night long as they recorded 7 total sacks between Tate Phillips (2), Clayton Moore (2), Quiency Jones (1), Caleb Haggard (1) and Zach McCarty (1). Caleb Hentzen and Ethan Jameson also recorded one interception a piece, Hentzen’s being pulled down in the end zone to stop the only meaningful drive by the Trojans offense all night.
Switching to the other side of the ball, the offense moved the ball early and often throughout the first half. Easton Dean finished the night clean, going 15-25 for 212 yards, 4 TD’s and 0 INT’s. After the game, Coach Price told me that he wanted to see his offensive line get back to the fundamentals and open up more effective running lanes for his senior tailback T.J Mayhue, who finished the night with 116 yards off of 18 carries against a fairly weak defensive front, not to discredit the play of Mayhue, who fought all game for every yard gained. In the receiving game, the Grizzlies had 6 different receivers record a catch. Kale Irwin had 5 grabs for 76 yards and a TD, Tanner Russell had 5 for 57 yards and a TD, Owyn Back had 2 for 41 yards and a TD, Josiah Rexwinkle had 2 for 38 yards and a TD and Deante Kelley caught the only two attempts from backup passer Austin Jones for 10 yards and a score.
On paper the final score suggests that the Grizzlies should feel on top of the mountain. However, there were still some things to clean up on the offensive side of the ball such as run blocking and limiting the overall number of dropped passes as the final stat column showed 6 dropped balls. Overall though, the Grizzlies are definitely on the rise and look to be a team that could become a dangerous contender in the very near future.
Labette looks to improve their overall record to 3-1 as they open up league play at home this week against nearby rival Parsons. Osawatomie is still searching for its first victory of the season as they travel to Garnett, KS in a showdown with Anderson County.