Osbourn Park overwhelms Forest Park

Any possibility that Osbourn Park might look past winless Forest Park during its homecoming game to next week's Cardinal District title showdown with Woodbridge quickly evaporated Friday night as the Yellow Jackets scored two touchdowns in a six-second span in the first quarter en route to a 41-6 victory.

The Yellow Jackets took the opening kickoff and moved 70 yards in eight plays, scoring on a 36-yard run by Gary Jackson with 8:28 left in the first quarter. Two seconds later, Forest Park fumbled the ensuing kickoff at their 11 and the Yellow Jackets scored four seconds later when quarterback Dominique Terrell hit Pat Derenda with an 11-yard scoring pass to give Osbourn Park a 14-0 lead.

Jackson finished with 19 carries for 205 yards and two touchdowns, while Terrell carried 5 times for 70 yards, including a 52-yard scoring run for Osbourn Park (7-1 overall, 5-0 in district).

Osbourn Park coach Brian Beaty said looking past the Bruins to the Vikings is "always a fear."

"But I think we know that we are not the kind of team who can look past anybody," Beaty said. "My biggest concern was that we would hold up well after also playing a game on Monday. Dominique was great and he showed he's getting healthier. We put ourselves in the position we have wanted to be in all season—to have a chance for the district title."

Forest Park (0-8, 0-4) had one bright spot defensively in the first quarter when Nathan Brown tipped and intercepted a pass from Terrell at the Forest Park 21. But two penalties hurt the Bruins on the ensuing drive and they were forced to punt. After that, Forest Park punted on its next three possessions. The Bruins were held to eight yards of offense in the first half.

The Yellow Jackets made it 17-0 with 9:00 to go in the first half when Zach Roy booted a 35-yard field goal.

Terrell showed no ill effects from the ankle injury he suffered against Osbourn earlier this season.  He capped the Yellow Jackets' fourth possession by barreling 52 yards off right end for a touchdown that gave Osbourn Park a 24-0 lead after Max Jones kicked the point after the touchdown.

Terrell said his ankle is "fully healthy" and platooning with backup quarterback Jamil Brown was not surprising or disappointing.

"It is great for my backup to get some reps," Terrell said. "And we didn't have to risk re-injury. We wanted to (score) on them early and we did. Gary Jackson is a tremendous athlete and with everyone keying on me, him playing well takes the pressure off the offense. Other teams don't have one guy to focus on."

Jackson made it 31-0 on Osbourn Park's first possession of the second half, scoring on a 47-yard run with 10:02 left in the quarter.

Following that touchdown, Forest Park was finally able to move the ball efficiently as Jared Johnston, who platooned at quarterback with Bernard Hall in the first half, completed a 51-yard pass to Troy Tyler that advanced the ball from the Bruins 33 to the Osbourn Park 16.

Later in the drive, Johnston completed a 17-yard pass to James Mehr and Eric Reichling scored from the 3 on the next play to make it 31-6.

Jones booted a 28-yard field goal with 2:48 remaining in the third quarter to give the Yellow Jackets a 34-6 lead.

Johnston fumbled at the 7 on Forest Park's next possession and Anthony Valenti recovered and took it into the end zone for a touchdown that made it 41-6.

The Yellow Jackets notched four sacks and held the Bruins to minus-11 yards rushing (92 yards overall).

Beaty said he was pleased with the team's defensive effort, which also included a fumble recovery.

"You can't be a 7-1 team and not play good defense," Beaty said. "But our defense has taken some pride in the way they've played. Our guys are really pulling for one another and it is bringing the team together (to play well on both sides of the ball)."