A turnover isn't just a change in possession.
"They're big momentum builders,'' East Grand Forks Senior High football player Jordan Osmundson said.
If that's the case, Osmundson was the momentum man Friday. The senior accounted for four of Senior High's six takeaways, as the Green Wave defeated visiting Pelican Rapids 20-6.
Osmundson had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Those takeaways gave the Green Wave possession on two of their three scoring drives in the first half.
"The two fumbles were luck,'' Osmundson said. "They came bouncing right to me. On the interceptions, I just went up for the pick.''
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Frankie Vargas also had a fumble recovery and Alex Robertson an interception for the Green Wave in a game in which all the points were scored in the first half.
Park Rapids scored first. Six-foot-five Luke Halbakken's block of a Senior High punt gave Pelican Rapids possession on the Wave 29-yard line. Two plays later, Taylor Budke scored on a 27-yard run.
But Osmundson's first fumble recovery gave the Wave a short field and Josh Moser hurdled over the goal line for a 1-yard run to cap the 25-yard drive. Tanner Dahlen's 14-yard run made it 13-6 for Senior High with 5:46 left in the half.
Then Osmundson's first interception gave the Wave the ball on their own 13 with 2:32 left in the second quarter. Senior High had four plays of 13 yards or longer on the ensuing drive, with Gage Ausmus scoring on a 15-yard run with 27 seconds left in the half for the 20-6 edge.
"We've been playing good defense,'' Senior High coach Scott Oliver said. "We've had some takeaways, but not like this. It was everybody staying in position. We got pressure on the quarterback and we made plays. It was hard hitting and running to the ball.''
The Wave defense wasn't just about takeaways; Senior High also limited Pelican Rapids to 167 yards in total offense. Budke rushed for 49 yards and Casey Bruggeman passed for 83 (7-of-22) to lead the way.
"Our defense played well,'' Pelican Rapids coach Dave Haugen said. "To have that many turnovers and hold them to 20 points, we played well.''
But, Haugen said, "East Grand Forks controlled us on the line of scrimmage both ways. And their backs took advantage of that on offense.''
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Ausmus had 106 yards rushing and 45 passing to pace the Green Wave. Osowski added 78 yards and Tanner Dahlen 57 in a ground game that accumulated 280 yards.
"We've had that balance all year,'' Oliver said. "We didn't break any real long runs. But we controlled the line and we were very physical.''
The outcome left both teams with 3-3 records.
