Meeting the undefeated Mondovi Buffaloes at Oriole Park on Friday, Sept. 9, the Oriole football varsity took away its first loss of the season, the final scoreboard tally reading 36-14. 

With the Buffaloes receiving to start the game and an early touchdown match by the Orioles to bring the score 8-8 tie, the Buffaloes ran away with the win, with Oriole mistakes deemed “correctable” by head coach Jeff Koenig. 

“Mondovi had an excellent game plan and executed it well,” he said. “We were never able to get any kind of rhythm going on offense to help our defense out. We need to play with a much better pad level, and technique, as well as keep our feet moving. Thankfully everything is correctable, we just need to have a better week of practice and improve our first three steps on both sides of the ball.” 

With Jesse Allard kicking off to start the game, Mondovi reached fourth down with over nine minutes left in the first. With Oriole lineman Storm Tiry tackling with an assist by Riley Schad, things were looking ok, until Mondovi scored its first touchdown with 4:16 left in the first. 

Following it up with a good conversion to bring the score 8-0 in the Buffaloes favor, a quick turnaround by Landon Karlen and following up conversion run tied the score 8-8 just nine seconds later. 

The followup kick by Allard returned by Mondovi to the 48 yard line, Chase Sturm sprang into action, with other Orioles with regular game mention for passing, running, and tackling including Carter Isenberger, Madden Mahr, Rudy Kletsch, and Jake LaGrander. 

Mondovi making a second touchdown and conversion pass to bring the 16-8 at the start of the second, the followup kick by Mondovi was returned by Karlen to the 30-yard line. With Mahr making a touchdown as the second quarter ticked down but the followup conversion no good, the Orioles were unable to gain traction despite effort after halftime, the game followed by the homecoming dance. 

The Orioles play Osseo-Fairchild next this Friday at Osseo-Fairchild. Game start is 7:00 p.m.