Osbourn loses 26-10 in Northwest Region, Division 5 final

BEALETON – All season long, the Osbourn High School football team had wrestled with the problem of turnovers. In some games, they were able to overcome their mistakes and still secure a victory, but Friday’s Northwest Region, Division 5 final at Liberty High School ended up not being one of those times.
The Eagles, who entered the game having committed 32 turnovers, had five more against Massaponax in a 26-10 defeat. One of the turnovers was returned 40 yards for an interception late in the fourth quarter, while another snuffed out a potential scoring drive when the Eagles fumbled early in the fourth quarter still down by 10.
Osbourn’s inability to score inside the five late in the third quarter didn’t help matters either. In that case, Massaponax’s defense stopped the Eagles on a fourth and three to get the ball back.
But overall, the missed chances and the continuing struggle with turnovers played a big part in Osbourn failing to reach the state semifinals for the second straight year.
“It was one of those nights when things didn’t come together,” Eagle head coach Steve Schultze said.
Osbourn (9-4), which reached the Division 6 state final a year ago, struggled to get on track, especially with its passing game. Quarterback Thomas Keith threw four interceptions, including three in the first half.
Massaponax’s triple-option offense gave the Eagles fits in the first half as well. Jauan Latney led the way with 94 yards on eight carries and scored the game’s first touchdown off a 14-yard run in the first quarter.
After the Panthers went up 13-0, Osbourn came back within six when Thomas Keith scored from eight yards out with 3:25 left in the second quarter.
Massaponax (10-2) got the ball back and was on the verge of having its drive stopped.  But facing a fourth and 11 from the Osbourn 31, Panther quarterback Thomas Robinson dropped back and after scrambling to avoid the Eagle rush, found Latney on a screen pass that ended up going 31 yards for a touchdown with 1:25 remaining.
In the second half, Osbourn’s defense kept the Panthers scoreless. 
Offensively, Osbourn was moving the ball more on the ground with Vidal Greene leading the way.
On the Eagles’ first drive of the second half, Osbourn, led by Greene pounding it out on the ground, got down to the five. On a third and goal, Schultze said the Eagles ran the wrong play, which netted one yard.
On fourth and goal from the three, Massaponax’s defense held.
Osbourn’s last good chance of scoring came when the defense forced a fumble that was recovered by Robbie Carter at the Massaponax 11. Two plays later with Osbourn at the 2,, Greene fumbled with 9:42 left and Massaponax recovered.
The Panthers, who won their third regional title since 2003, play at Stone Bridge (12-1) next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the state semifinals.
Sports editor David Fawcett can be reached at 703-878-8052