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Photo by Elliot J. Sutherland/The Ottawa Herald
Ottawa High School senior Adam Maxwell runs the ball during the second quarter of Ottawa’s home game against the Louisburg Wildcats. The Cyclones lost 40-7.
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Cyclones bested in season's first game
By GREG MAST, Herald Sports Editor
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Louisburg is known for its power game. Through the years, the Wildcats have run through and around opponents.
In the first half of Friday’s season opener, Louisburg went to its passing game against the Ottawa Cyclones at Steve Grogan Stadium, but returned to its power running game in the second half.
Ottawa could not stop the ground attack and fell 40-7.
“They were more physical,” Ottawa first-year coach Marc Bergan said. “That really dictated [the game]. We could not get a run game established ... that hurt us. It boiled down to we could not stop the run.
“In the third quarter, they lined up and physically took it to us.”
Louisburg scored three touchdowns in each half, using different means.
The Wildcats passed for 165 yards in the first half, including two touchdown passes. In the second half, it was all on the ground.
“We came out and played well early,” Bergan said. “I saw a lot of good things. The first half was fairly crisp.”
Ottawa had a touchdown called back late in the first half on a pass interference call. The penalty erased a 42-yard touchdown catch by Dustin Burnett.
Bergan said Ottawa has to withstand the negatives and continue to fight back.
Ottawa stopped Louisburg on its first two drives, the second one on an interception in the end zone by senior Jarrod Ingold.
Then Louisburg’s offense got untracked and scored six touchdowns on its next eight possessions.
As the game went on, Ottawa became more tired because of its lack of depth. The mental mistakes began to creep in.
Ottawa showed it could move the ball through the air. The Cyclones completed 11 passes for 102 yards.
Blake Firestone and Adam Maxwell caught four passes each. Firestone picked up 36 yards and Maxwell 20. Burnett had a nice catch for 39 yards.
Ottawa’s score came on its final offensive play of the game. Sophomore speedster Gene Dydell broke a tackle and sped 52 yards for a score with 1:35 remaining.
Bergan said that was nice to get that score late.
“We have things to build on,” the new coach said.
Ottawa (0-1) plays Friday at home against Paola.
Scoring
L — Dvorak 18 pass from Cody Cook (Chris Cook kick).
L — Chris Cook 28 run (Chris Cook kick).
L — Larson 10 pass from Cody Cook (Chris Cook kick).
L — Griffin 8 run (kick failed).
L — Roberts 1 run (kick failed).
L — Roberts 5 run (Chris Cook kick).
O — Dydell 52 run (Mayo kick).
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