Tiger football wins 72-26

ODESSA – The Odessa Tiger football team's season is off to a winning start. Facing DeSales High of Walla Walla in non-league action at home last Friday, Sept. 3, the Tigers overcome the Irish 72-26 have to work hard for every touchdown. The team is a little rough around the edges, committing nine penalties to DeSales' one and costing them a total of 80 yards. Nevertheless, the Odessa boys are able to execute plays, break into the open thanks to good blocking from teammates and in many instances outrun the opposition to the goalposts.

Odessa 0 12 6 8 26

DeSales 26 32 8 6 72

Senior Daeton Deife is impressive and has great game. Gaining a total of 298 yards for the Tigers, 264 rushing and 34 receiving, he scores six TDs and completes three successful two-point conversions for a total of 42 points. Fellow senior (at Wilson Creek High, which has no football team) Davey McMillan runs for 176 yards, scores one TD and completes a pair of two-point conversions, scoring 10 points. Anthony Elder, a junior running back, has a total of 134 yards, 95 rushing and 39 receiving, and one two-point conversion. Junior quarterback Collin Martin completes seven of nine passes for 108 yards and gets good protection from his offensive line. Senior lineman Hayden Miller, Drew Hardung and the rest of the linemen get kudos from Odessa announcer Clark Kagele for their efforts in blocking and running interference.

On defense, Deife also leads the team in tackles with 12 (eight solos and four assists). Martin tallies five solo tackles, Elder gets a sack of the DeSales QB, and Gage Starkel pulls in an interception.

In the fourth quarter, as several freshman and sophomores enter the game as substitutes, Corbyn Neilsen, a 155-pound, 5'11" freshman shows great potential as he picks up a TD, while gaining a total of 123 yards in only a few minutes of play, 65 yards rushing and 58 yards on a punt return.