ELK RAPIDS - Aug. 30, 2007 - Oscoda's long climb back to football respectability took a major step forward Thursday at Elk Rapids, where the Owls took advantage of some big plays to get on the scoreboard for the first time in two seasons in a 46-18 loss.

Oscoda coach Chris Davis said a big key was the Owls' ability to put their season-opening 40-0 loss to Pine River behind them.

"The kids were able to stay positive after that loss," he said. "There was nothing we could do about the Pine River game. We had to look forward, and the kids responded Thursday (at ER)."

Oscoda broke into the scoring column for the first time since Oct. 14, 2005 on an 87-yard pass play from Trent Fouchey to Jake Trier.

The Owls had tried to run a bubble screen on several occasions in the game, with little success. But that set up the touchdown, as the Owls faked that play and Fouchey delivered the ball to Trier, who had set up as if to block for the play.

"We faked the screen, Jake broke a tackle and went 87 yards," Davis said. "The best thing about it was that it came against their first-team defense. We were down four scores (27-0) at that point, and it got us back to within three touchdowns. They brought their first-team offense back in and went down and scored again."

Fouchey later hit Trier for 62 yards and 28 yards for the Owls' final two touchdowns.

"Trent is catching on to the offense and reading coverages," Davis said. "He threw some interceptions, but he definitely made a step forward.

"I wish we could run the ball, but we can't. So we're living and dying by the pass."

Davis said mental mistakes at the point of attack proved costly, especially in the first half as the Elks built their four-touchdown lead.

"The mistakes cost us touchdowns early in the game that created quite a deficit at the half," he said. "Our defense responded well in the second half despite several (offensive) turnovers."

Fouchey was intercepted five times, one of which went the other way for a touchdown, but completed 14-of-25 for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Trier caught four passes for 169 yards and three scores.

Defensively, the Owls got a big game from Mike Lamrock, who had been injured in the season-opener but was cleared to play again after missing just one practice.

"He was out back there and ready to go," Davis said. "He's our mainstay on defense. I'm not sure where we'd be without him."

He said lineman Monte Fouchey also earned himself an expanded role with his play.

"He's been everything we hoped he would be and then some," Davis said. "We had him just playing defense because he's so big, we weren't sure if he could go both ways. But it looks like he's more than ready to go both ways, and it's a good thing because of our numbers."

Lamrock had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery, while Monte Fouchey had six tackles and a sack. Kevin Hill and Tom Schonfeld each had seven tackles, with Hill adding a sack and a forced fumble.

Davis also said the offensive line play of Todd Kerentoff, Brad Niemann in his first game at aceback and Justin Cain's playmaking ability were key positives.

The Owls (0-2) will host their first varsity football game since 2005 on Friday as Ogemaw Heights (2-0) visits. Ogemaw was also the last team Oscoda played at home in a 35-7 Falcon victory. The Owls will have their hands full this time around as well as the Falcons haven't allowed a score in seven quarters in defeating Flint Powers and Petoskey.

"We're excited to play in front of a home crowd," David said. "(It) will be nice after having crossed the state for Games 1 and 2."