Our boys really persevered and played a good tough football game. The team really appreciated the fans who attended the game and cheered positively and loudly.”

Oriole Football Head Coach Jeff Koenig

The action starts at Oriole Park this Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 pm.

Fall is officially here, making its presence known Friday night. But even with plenty of cold rain and winds that chilled to the bone at 47 degrees, the Orioles nonetheless flew high, defeating the Durand-Arkansaw Panthers 33-8  at Oriole Park, buoyed by fan enthusiasm. Orioles Head Football Coach Jeff Koenig shared his thoughts on the game against Durand after play was over.

“The defense played an outstanding game, holding Durand to negative yardage through the first three quarters,” Koenig said. “The wind and rain were definite factors in the special teams game and sometimes with our offense. Our boys really persevered and played a good tough football game. The team really appreciated the fans who attended the game and cheered positively and loudly.”

Starting out the with kickoff by Stanley-Boyd, a back and forth chase ensured, with Durand scoring two points on a safety after the ball was fumbled in the end zone with 9:26 left in the first quarter.

Not to be deterred, Stanley-Boyd came back strong, with Alex Williams making tackle at the Panther 47-yard line, followed with a pass attempt from Durand that was broken up by Madden Mahr. With Jake LaGrander tackling Durand’s Joseph Baker, the ball returned to Oriole possession, Mahr scoring a touchdown with 6:43 on the first quarter, bringing the score 6-2 in the Orioles favor.

With Aaron Sturm, Gavin Hatfield, and Rudy Kletsch all putting in elbow grease to keep the Panthers at bay, Durand fought back, recovering a fumble before having a pass broken up by the Oriole’s Mahr, the ball being turned over to the Orioles at the Oriole 15-yard line.

With Oriole Landon Karlen then carrying the play to the 22-yard line, the score stood 6-2 at the end of they first quarter.

The second quarter opening with Jesse Allard making a kick to the end zone for a touchback, the ball sat on the 20, the Orioles going on to score with a touchdown by LaGrander bringing the score 12-2 with 7:58 left in the half, the follow two-point conversion attempt unsuccessful.

With Durand returning the ball downfield, an out of bounds punt  with 5:42 left in the second quarter led to an Oriole first down. With Jake Lagrander carrying the ball for a second touchdown eight scoreboard seconds later and a two point conversion pass by Carter Isenberger to Chase Sturm following, the score stood 20-2 as both teams retreated to indoor quarters below the concessions to get out of the rain.

During the halftime break, members of the 2013 state championship team present made their way to the field for crowd recognition.

Coming out of the half, Stanley-Boyd expanded its point lead with touchdowns by LaGrander and Karlen along with a successful extra point attempt by Allard bringing the score 33-2 at the end of the third.

Durand coming back in the fourth quarter for a touchdown pass to bring the score 33-8, the Orioles remain ranked third in the Western Cloverbelt with a 5-2 in conference record and 7-2 overall as they prepare to face Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau at Oriole Park this Friday. Coach Koenig shared his thoughts.

“Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau is a good football team that plays in an excellent conference,” he said. “We will have to find a way to play low and fast to slow down their run-heavy offense. Our offense will need to take care of the ball and execute well.”

With the regular season over and the playoffs now here, the action starts at Oriole Park this Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 pm.