By Kristi Nixon
OSAGE — Twice St. Ansgar held a lead against Osage in its attempt to reclaim the L.R. Falk trophy. Twice the Green Devils tied the score.
Everything turned on a dime in the second half on a 32-yard fumble return for a touchdown by newly-acquired back Marshal Schlader from Rockford, whose team shut down its program before the season started, leaving him with the choice of who to play for. He ultimately picking the Green Devils, who turned in a 27-19 non-district opening win on Friday, Aug. 26.
Osage won the turnover battle 4-3 to make the difference in this one.
“These kids rallied behind . . . even in practice situations we were in, we had kids cramping, kids out with injury,” Osage coach Torian Wolf said, “so for everybody to step up, next guy up, it was amazing us to see, and for us to grind it out against a great team who grinds it out shows how tough we are.”
Saints’ coach Drew Clevenger said the turnover margin was a big difference.
“Any time you play a game and put the ball on the ground, and don’t take care of the ball, obviously plays a key part,” Clevenger said. “Big part of the game.”
For more on this story, see the Aug. 31 print and e-edition of the Enterprise Journal.
