Oliver sets Elmwood rushing record again, in stunner over Eastwood

BLOOMDALE — Mason Oliver already held the single-game rushing record for Elmwood with his 347 yards earlier this season against Van Buren.It was going to take a performance like that again to knock off Eastwood, ranked eighth in Division V by The Associated Press.Not only did Oliver carry the Royals to a win, but he broke his record with 355 yards rushing and five touchdowns in the 56-49 win over Eastwood.It was Elmwood's first victory over the Eagles in 20 years."This will go down as a great program win for us," said Elmwood coach Greg Bishop. "That was a fun high school football game. That's what it's all about."The Eagles came into this game outscoring their opponents 278-47.On this night, a dominant third quarter — fueled by Oliver — made all the difference. But it was the last play before halftime that may have swung the momentum. With the game tied 28-28 and Eastwood inside the Royals' 20, a touchdown could have been catastrophic, being that the Eagles were to receive the ball to start the third. But as quarterback Lake Boos rolled to his right with 20 seconds left, he was sacked by Gunner Endicott as the final seconds ticked away.Eastwood did jump ahead 35-28 at the beginning of the third when Lake Boos hit Case Boos on a 20-yard touchdown pass. The two were a dangerous combo all game long with Lake Boos connecting on 22-of-29 passes for 360 yards and five touchdowns, while Case Boos catching 11 passes for 187 yards and four touchdowns.Elmwood roared back when junior Hayden Wickard faked a quarterback draw to hit Endicott in the back of the endzone on a pop pass.On the next possession, the Royals forced a punt, the first of the game for either team, before marching downfield again on the back of Oliver's running. They went up for good, 41-35 when Wickard rushed in from 11 yards out.Then came another gigantic moment. A squib kickoff went off the body of an Eastwood player and was scooped by Elmwood's Will Sorenson.The Royals immediately took advantage, moving 45 yards on four plays — all runs by Oliver — capped by a 30-yard scoring run.On the next drive, Lake Boos, who only missed on seven passes all game, was 0-for-3, as the Royals forced a turnover on downs. They quickly jumped up 18 when Endicott lined up in Wildcat formation with Oliver next to him, but rather than run, he passed it over the top of the defense to Micah Oliver for a 23-yard score. At that point, there were less than nine minutes left in the game.Eastwood didn't go out quietly, however, as it scored twice to set up an onside kick attempt with less than two minutes left. But Elwood's Declan Rowe came up with the ball, and two quarterback kneels later, the Royals were celebrating.Bishop said Elmwood's halftime focus was on the third quarter."We talked about as a program, this is where we turn the corner," he said. "We challenged our kids — let's take that next step this quarter."Endicott scored the game's first touchdown, while Mason Oliver roared in three times in the first 24 minutes.For Oliver, it was a gutsy performance as the junior played with a dinged ankle, having to receive treatment multiple times throughout the game."You have to gut it out and keep going," Oliver said. "We don't stop at all. I put my team ahead of myself."In the third quarter, Oliver was spotted — how should we say this — losing his lunch."I throw up before every game and during every game," the junior running back said. "It's kind of a ritual I have."The victory makes a treacherous Northern Buckeye League race interesting. Elmwood (4-1), which lost 16-12 to Otsego in its last game, is now tied with Eastwood with one league loss. Otsego is undefeated and hosts Eastwood in the last game of the season.For Elmwood to have a chance, it needs to keep winning. The Royals close out their regular-season home calendar next Friday against Lake. Elmwood 56, Eastwood 49Eastwood 13-15-7-14 — 49Elmwood 14-14-21-7 — 56 First QuarterElmwood — Gunner Endicott 16-yard run (Will Sorenson kick)Eastwood — Case Boos 28-yard pass from Lake Boos (Bobby Rothenbuhler kick)Eastwood — C. Boos 79-yard pass from L. Boos (conversion failed)Elmwood — Mason Oliver 18-yard run (Sorenson kick)Second QuarterEastwood — Bryce Hesselbart 32-yard run (L. Boos conversion)Elmwood — Oliver 2-yard run (Sorenson kick)Eastwood — Bryce Korprowski-Kistner 50-yard run (Rothenbuhler kick)Elmwood — Oliver 46-yard run (Sorenson kick)Third QuarterEastwood — C. Boos 20-yard pass from L. Boos (Rothenbuhler kick)Elmwood — Endicott 15-yard pass from Hayden Wickard (Sorenson kick0Elmwood — Wickard 8-yard run (kick failed)Elmwood — Oliver 30-yard run (Cannon Endicott conversion)Fourth QuarterElmwood — Mason Oliver 23-yard pass from G. Endicott (Sorenson kick)Eastwood — C. Boos 8-yard pass from L. Boos (Rothenbuhler kick)Eastwood — Isaac Cherry 42-yard pass from L. Boos (Rothenbuhler kick)