OSCODA - Sep. 5, 2008 - Oscoda fell into an early hole against Elk Rapids on  Friday and was never able to dig out in falling 40-6 to the Elks in the second game of the young football season.

The Owls turned the ball over early in the first possession, leading to an Elk Rapids score and forcing the Owls to play from behind.

"Unfortunately (that) had us fighting and uphill battle less than a minute into the game," said Oscoda coach Chris Davis. "We are still making strides as a program to disregard early setbacks which dictate to us how we play the remainder of the game.

"It's difficult, but we tell the kids to put mistakes and negative plays behind them and (only) worry about the next play."

Adding to the challenge for the Owls was losing quarterback Thomas York to an ankle injury at the end of the opening game of the season. David moved Justin Cain back to quarterback, where he had played the latter part of 2007.

"We had an excellent game out of ... Justin," Davis said. "He took his first significant snaps since I asked him to move from quarterback to wide receiver this year to strengthen our football team.

"I thought having Justin at wide receiver and Thomas as our quarterback gave us our absolute best chance to be successful. When Thomas went down against Pine River, I didn't even have to ask for Justin to step in. He came running over to me for the play, ready to step in.

"I've was very proud of his effort, especially since he's been taking back-up reps since the start of camp."

The Elks had the edge on the Owls in size, speed and numbers, and built a big lead before the Owls finally scored in the fourth quarter in a nine-yard run by Dylan Kachur.

"Elk Rapids was a very talented, well-coached football team that executed their schemes extremely well and played hard from the opening kickoff to the final whistle," Davis said.

Cain finished with 74 yards on 26 carries, with Kachur adding 30 yards on five carries. Cain also completed 1-of-5 passes, a four-yard completion to Kachur.

Defensively, Brad Ayers was in on eight total tackles, with Kachur, Kevin Hill and Eric Frasher adding five apiece.

"Brad hustles around the football field and it showed statistically and when we watched film on Sunday," Davis said of Ayers. "We coach our kids to relentlessly pursue to the football and good things will happen.  Brad believes in our defensive philosophy and makes plays as a result."

Davis hopes to keep the team's attitude up despite an 0-2 start heading into Friday's game at 2-0 Whittemore-Prescott.

'We have green stickers on our helmets which signify 'Green Means Go'," he said. "We want the kids to remain in the green, meaning stay optimistic and positive, always believing that we will overcome any adversity that comes our way."