Following a loss in the semifinals at the UNI-Dome last year, the Remsen St. Mary’s football team basked under the lights in the Dome on Wednesday night taking care of Lenox by a 42-20 final score.
The Hawks did not want to leave anything to chance during the game, so they received the opening kick and, on the first play from scrimmage, scored to go out in front.
That 55-yard touchdown pass from Cael Ortmann to Ryan Willman quickly energized the Hawk football team. Remsen St. Mary’s head coach Tim Osterman says that play was a result of some good scouting during the week by his coaches and great execution by his players.
That play would be the first of five pass completions between the two with a total of three going for touchdowns. Ortmann says the synergy and connection goes all the way back to playing football in the backyard.
The bulk of the completions to Willman came early in the game leaving opportunities for others to make an impact on offense. Coach Osterman says that is what makes the Ortmann to Willman connection a good one for his team.
Ortmann says having an offense with so many weapons is a huge blessing as a signal-caller.
The Hawks got the ball to their many weapons in the second half. Remsen St. Mary’s threw for 200 yards and ran for 98 yards in the first half to move the ball. They adjusted to throw for just 27 yards and run for 111 in the second half. Coach Osterman says having that ability to run is enough of a complement to make the entire offense dangerous.
On defense, Remsen St. Mary’s lived in the Lenox backfield. The Hawk defense recorded a total of nine tackles for loss and a pair of sacks to disrupt Lenox’s momentum offensively. Coach Osterman says it was younger guys that stepped up to make plays on the defensive line when their name was called.
The Hawks had to call on a number of guys throughout the game as they were dealing with some nagging injuries that just would not go away. Ortmann says that says a lot about the toughness that this team plays with.
The Hawks advance to their fourth state championship game in program history and their third in the last six seasons. Remsen St. Mary’s will match up with the second-ranked Warriors of WACO who beat the Hawks’ district rivals in Newell-Fonda 29-21. Coach Osterman says the Hawks need to replicate the last week of preparation for this week, and they will be alright.
The Hawks kickoff with the Warriors at 9:30 AM on Thursday, November 17. KLEM Radio will broadcast the game from Cedar Falls with coverage beginning at 9:00 AM.
