OSCODA - Sept. 7, 2007 - Ogemaw Heights quarterback Kevin O'Neil ran for two touchdowns in the first quarter, and Michael Noffsinger scored touchdowns on the ground, through the air and on an interception return as the Falcons defeated Oscoda 38-12 on Friday.
O'Neil opened the scoring with a 27-yard run five minutes into the game and scored again on a one-yard run with 2:31 left in the first quarter.
Noffsinger had a 33-yard run with 4:30 left in the first quarter, caught a 44-yard pass from O'Neil with 9:30 left in the second and returned an interception 38 yards for a score just one minute later.
Alex Winter's 5-yard run gave the Falcons a 38-0 lead at the half.
"It's always good to win the league opener," said Ogemaw coach Andrew Pratley. "I thought we played well. It was great to get our starters a 'blow' and our 2's and 3's significant minutes. We got an opportunity to see kids play for more than a half who hadn't played at all the first two weeks.
"Many of them are just one play away from being starters."
Oscoda broke the ice in the fourth quarter on a 34-yard scoring strike from Trent Fouchey to Jake Trier on a trick play. Shaun Myers added a touchdown when he forced a fumble and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown in the final minutes.
"(We) played strong at times defensively but gave up big plays that led to several scores," said Oscoda coach Chris Davis. "(We) didn't lay down against a team that made it to the regional finals last season."
O'Neil led the Falcons with 82 rushing yards on six carries. Eric Noble added 72 yards on 10 carries, Noffsinger finished with 55 rushing yards on six carries to go with his 44 receiving yards; and Winter finished with 47 yards on 11 carries. The Falcons rolled up 343 rushing yards for the game.
Defensively, Andrew Funsch had four solo tackles and two assists; Beau Bailer had four tackles and an assists; Tyson Little had a tackle and three assists; Mike Pacione had three tackles and an assist; Bryan Williams had three tackles and an assist; and Carl Worthy had two tackles and three assists. Little, Worthy and Conrad Laurion also had quarterback sacks.
"Our defense was outstanding again," Pratley said. "I thought both our quarterbacks played well. They are reading (defenses) much better."
"Again this week we struggled to run the ball," Davis said. "We forced ourselves into predictable down-and-distance situations which allowed Ogemaw to easily defend from their side of the ball. We must improve our running game if we are to be successful for our remaining conference games."
Davis added he was particularly pleased with the defensive play of Monte Fouchey (five tackles), Robert Hill (10 tackles) and Myers.
Trent Fouchey was 3-of-13 throwing the ball, with Trier catching two passes. Thomas York led the Owls with 28 yards rushing on five carries.
The Falcons (3-0, 1-0 NEMC) host Pinconning (0-3, 0-1) next Friday, while Oscoda hosts Tawas Area (2-1, 0-1), which lost its first game, 10-7 at John Glenn.
"We are looking forward to being back home while school is in session against Pinconning," Pratley said. "They will be hungry for their first win after being in all three games but coming up short. We have to come ready to play."
