Olpe uses stout defense in 29-0 shutout over Osage City
Ken Easthouse
Saturday, September 16, 2006
By all accounts, Olpe shouldn’t have beaten Osage City so handily in a 29-0 victory for the Eagles Friday night.
Even Olpe coach Mike Plunkett said Osage was a better team than what the numbers showed.
“This is a good team, as far as I’m concerned,” Plunkett said. “I’m not sure we’re 29 points better than them, to tell the truth. I was impressed.”
The Eagles used solid defense and excelled in special teams play to mark the difference. The first score of the game was from a 66-yard punt return in the first quarter by senior Jordan Pargman.
“He really picked us up,” said brother Seth Pargman. “Once we get the first touchdown, we seem to pick things up like that. That was a big boost for us.”
Up to that point, both teams were waging a defensive battle on the line, with neither team really moving the ball. Plunkett said the punt return marked a change in attitude on his sideline.
“We didn’t know it at the time, but that was a biggie,” Plunkett said. “That showed the kids they were going to be able to do some things.”
Credit the Indians with slowing down Olpe and aggressively attacking the line. Plunkett singled out Osage’s aggressiveness for the slow start.
“I thought (we) were a little shocked as to how aggressive Osage really was,” Plunkett said.
However, after the return, it was all Olpe.
Seth Pargman had two touchdown receptions in the game, ending the night with 65 yards receiving on just three catches.
“(Olpe quarterback) Tanner (Coble) did a good job of just throwing the ball up and letting me go get it,” Pargman said.
On the defensive side of the ball, Pargman led a solid attack and ended the night with several sacks.
“They rolled a lot to his side, and he kept (the quarterback) inside of him, for the most part,” Plunkett said of Pargman. “He was real tough on the run.”
Osage City’s offense was rolling in the first quarter, totaling 67 total yards. After that, however, the Indians only managed 38 total yards and didn’t get another first down until late in the fourth quarter.
Tyrel Clark led the Indian attack with 13 carries for 59 yards.