Olney running back Xavier Owusu-Gyan ran for two touchdowns to lead the Tigers from an early deficit, and they went on to defeat the Lawrenceville Indians 46-9 Friday night in Olney.
The Tribe jumped on top in the first quarter when quarterback Blayton Gossett connected with running back Corbin Shaffer on a 48-yard touchdown pass, but the 2-point conversion run was unsuccessful and the Indians led 6-0 at the 8:41 mark.
But the lead was short-lived as Owusu-Gyan ran 34 yards for a score with 6:13 to go in the first and the Tigers added the extra point kick to take the lead at 7-6 after one quarter and they never relinquished it.
The Indians' Nick Moorehead kicked a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter after the Tigers' Levi Hefferman had knocked through a 27 yarder to draw the Indians to within 1 at 10-9, but that was as close as they would get.
The Tigers added two TDs in the second, one a 68-yard interception return and another field goal to lead 25-9 at the half. They cemented the game in the second half with two TD passes and a 1-yard plunge by Owusu-Gyan enroute to the victory.
The Tigers picked up their first win of the season and first Little Illini Conference (LIC) win to improve to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the league.
The Indians are now 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the LIC and will return home to Ed Loeb Field on Thursday, September 10th when they host the unbeaten Paris Tigers.
Elsewhere in the LIC
Newton 42 Casey-Westfield 14
Paris 34 Marshall 20
Mt. Carmel 29 Robinson 13
Beech Grove survives battle with Shelbyville in HLC opener for both teams
Prep Report: Shelbyville tennis tops Triton Central for fourth win of week
Unbeaten Golden Bears take first step into Hoosier Legends Conference Friday
