Football Recap: Matthew Gilstrap and Beau Hoeme Pace Osceola Defense

Osceola took a 36-point loss the last time they faced off against Greenfield, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Indians came out on top in a nail-biter against the Wildcats on Friday, sneaking past 42-40. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last four times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.

Will Murray produced another solid performance rushing for 248 yards and four scores while picking up 7.3 yards per carry, and also throwing for 41 yards and one TD. Those four rushing touchdowns gave him a new career-high. Beau Hoeme got in on the action as well, returning a kick for a touchdown.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Osceola was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 282 rushing yards. They are a perfect 4-0 when they've run for more than 200 yards.

Osceola didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Matthew Gilstrap and Hoeme. Osceola is 3-1 when Gilstrap posts one or more interceptions, but 1-4 otherwise. The Indians got some further help from Kylar Mace: he made 16 total tackles (1.0 for loss).

Greenfield's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Andrew Mays, who gained 167 total yards and three touchdowns, and Drake Morrison, who rushed for 91 yards and three touchdowns. Mays showed off some serious burst, connecting on a big catch for 52 yards.

Osceola's win bumped their record up to 4-5. As for Greenfield, they are on a four-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 2-7.

The two teams are set to take part in some playoff action in their next matches. Osceola will square off against Lincoln at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Indians will be up against the Cardinals' rather soft defense (which has allowed 33 points per game), so fans could be in store for a big offensive performance. As for Greenfield, they will look to defend their home field on Friday against New Heights Christian Academy at 7:00 p.m. The Wildcats will be up against the Cougars' rather soft defense (which has allowed 66 points per contest), so fans could be in store for a big offensive performance.