The Miles Osei era got off to a flying start with a 49-6 win against Niles North at Lazier Field. The dominant home victory is a breath of fresh air for Kit fans, who had to endure a winless season at home last year.
“I thought we stepped up to the occasion, and it was really exciting to see the kids succeed,” said Osei.
The Kits jumped on the Vikings early in the game and never looked back. Junior Evyn Bell sacked Niles North quarterback Adonis Williams to force a three-and-out on the Vikings’ first drive. On the Kits’ first possession, they lined up junior wide receiver Justin Johnson in the Wildcat formation. He pounded the ball into the end zone to give the Kits an early 7-0 lead. Niles North was forced to punt again before junior Sean Hopson took a jet sweep 75 yards down the sideline to the house, doubling the Kits’ lead.
“We made sure to use the Wildcat formation early on because we knew that if we could get the ball in the hands of our playmakers, then we would be in a good place,” explained Osei.
Senior Tyree Innis scored a touchdown to extend the Kits’ lead to 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. Niles North’s Williams then scrambled into the end zone to get the Vikings on the board. However, the Kits quickly responded with Innis punching it in once again. With under three minutes left in the first half, senior quarterback Jake Everds connected with junior Colin Byrnes for a 48-yard touchdown to give the Kits a 42-9 lead at the break.
The opening kickoff of the second half landed well short, which allowed junior Amari Watson’s return to find paydirt, making it 49-6 Kits. From there, IHSA slaughter rules went into effect, and the rest of the game was played with a running clock.
The Kits outgained the Vikings 431-128. Of the Kits’ 431 yards, 381 of them came on the ground. In fact, Everds’ pass to Byrnes was the Kits’ only downfield completion of the game. Hopson led the Kits in rushing in his varsity debut, totaling 152 rushing yards.
“Regarding running the ball, I look to see if something is working and then I like to stick with it,” commented Osei.
The Kits only attempted three passes, meaning the game against Niles North answered none of the questions about who will be the team’s starting quarterback going forward. Coach Osei insists the spot is still up for grabs.
The Kits travel to St. Lawrence next Friday, a team that destroyed the Kits 42-7 in their opening home game last season.
“It feels good to get that first win on the board, but we can’t be fully satisfied yet as there is still a lot of work to do,” remarked Osei.
