Fullerton avenges lone loss of the season, bests Osceola, 30-24.

Fullerton QB Brandon Rasmussen (#4) gets ready to run a play against the stout Osceola defense. The Warriors prevailed in the game, 30-24. *(photo by Bobby Mills)

FULLERTON - Fullerton was out to avenge a regular season clunker that came at the hands of Osceola. The 38-12 loss to the Bulldogs on the road back on September 29, seemed like a head scratcher to many, especially the Warriors. But when you consider that Osceola is a big, strong, physical, ground and pound football team, it made more sense…….except to the Warriors.

There wasn’t much question about about turning things around on this gale force winds night. It was the first round of the playoffs and if you snooze and you lose, you turn in your gear.

It didn’t take long for Fullerton to establish themselves in this baby. On just the third play from scrimmage, a low center snap caused All-State candidate Caden Theis (Osceola QB) to bobble, then fumble the football.

Big Kole Prososki, all 285 pounds of him, was all over it to recover the fumble for the Warriors. Five plays later, rugged FB John Wetovick crashed in from the one to give Fullerton the early 6-0 lead. TJ Dubas then nailed Elijah Norman for the double PAT to make it 8-0 Fullerton, only 3:24 deep into the game.

The hometown Warriors then cashed in on their very next possession, set up by a short Osceola punt into the fierce, swirling winds. Seven plays and 31 yards later, John Wetovick scored his second 1 yard TD blast, TJ Dubas ran in the 2-point conversion, and it was 16-0 in the wink of a Ryan Haughton eye.

Fullerton then received a stroke of good luck halfway through the 2nd quarter when Osceola was called for a 15 yard personal foul, roughing the punter penalty. The Bulldogs had pinned the Warriors back on their own 17 when the infraction occurred.

Fullerton then capitalized on the opportunity, marched down the field and struck paydirt again when QB Brandon Rasmussen nailed speedy TJ Dubas for a 17 yard TD pass. Dubas once again ran in the 2-point conversion, and it was 24-0 Fullerton.

The quick, three touchdown Warrior lead may have had the Fullerton fans relaxing a little, but Osceola’s multi-talented Caden Theis quickly changed that.

On the ensuing kickoff, following the Rasmussen to Dubas score, the 6-0, 190 pound “faster-than-you-think Theis, fielded the high kickoff into the wind, turned on the jets and scooted down the Fullerton sideline for a pretty 68 yard touchdown jaunt.

Theis then called his own number and ran in the double PAT, cutting the Fullerton lead to 24-6. Big Mo had just changed sides.

One play after the ensuing Bulldog score, Caden Theis took the ball right out of Hunter Friend’s hands like a Houdini-thief in the night, setting up the Bulldogs at the Warriors 22 yard line. Friend could just throw his hands up in disbelief.

Three plays later, Theis ran through a Mack truck sized opening for a 6 yard TD. Now it was only 24-16, Fullerton.

Oh no, do not think Caden Theis wasn’t finished yet. Starting a drive on the Osceola 39, the stellar senior took the now perfect center snaps and proceeded to carry every single down but one, marching all the way down the Fullerton turf, culminating with a 10 yard touchdown run.

A complete 180 turnaround by the Bulldogs and things were now all square at 24 at the halftime break.

The second half was a test of wills to win. Fullerton scored halfway through the third stanza when Brandon Rasmussen cruised in from the 4 yard line. The Warrior front line was beginning to open some holes and seal off some blocks and 1000 yard rusher Hunter Friend was running tougher than ever.

Osceola had a shot to answer the call on the possession following the Rasmussen score, but the Warrior defense stiffened and sophomore Connor Sonderup shot through the middle to spill Theis on a critical 3rd down play, forcing a punt.

Not only did the Fullerton “D” come through in that 4h and money quarter, but the Warrior offense fashioned a death-grip drive that gave Osceola zero chances to snap the football.

The killer drive began with 7:06 left in the game and ended when Brandon Rasmussen took a knee twice to end the game. The Bulldogs never had a chance to run an offensive play during that long 7 minute, six second span.

Fullerton’s Hunter Friend led all rushers with 128 yards on a grueling 35 carries. 170 pound sophomore, John Wetovick added 41-12 touches and his two 1 yard touchdown runs.

Osceola’s Caden Theis nearly hit the 30 carry mark, toting the ball 29 times for 112 yards. I was especially knocked out by the defensive play of the Bulldogs Brennan Bryan, a brutal crunching 200 pound senior defensive lineman.

Fullerton advances to Wednesday’s second round of the Class D-2 playoffs, when they hit the road to meet powerful BDS, an easy 60-16 winner over short-handed, injury-riddled Pawnee City.

Osceola ends their season at 4-5 after facing one of the toughest schedules in D-2 this fall.

……………………..…...1……..2……..3……..4……….T

Osceola (4-5).........0…….24…….0……..0……...24

Fullerton (9-1)......16……..8…….6……..0……...30

1st Qtr.

F - John Wetovick 1 run…………………………………...PAT-TJ Dubas to Elijah Norman pass..(8:36)...8-0

F - John Wetovick 1 run…………………………………..PAT-Dubas run..(3:51)..16-0

2nd Qtr.

F - Dubas 17 pass from Brandon Rasmussen…...PAT-Dubas run..(6:12)..24-0

O - Caden Theis 68 Kick Return………………………..PAT-Theis run..(6:01)..24-8

O - Theis 6 run………………………………………………...PAT-Theis run..(5:07)..24-16

O - Theis 10 run……………………………………………….PAT-Theis to Garrett Fisher pass..(:57.6)..24-24

3rd Qtr.

F - Brandon Rasmussen 4 run………………………….PAT- Run failed..(6:17)..30-24