Osseo defender Jim Nyakundi leaped to try and make an interception during the second half of the Orioles' game against Totino-Grace Wedesday in Fridley. Photo:Kyndell Harkness * kyndell.harkness@startribune.com

Cliché, perhaps, but Osseo’s victory at Totino-Grace was the epitome of a team effort.The defense carried the first half, holding Totino-Grace to only 54 total yards and no points. The offense, held scoreless in the first half, exploded after halftime with 14 points in each quarter.

Running back Prince Krauh rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown and backfield mate Jaimen Hampton ran for 112 yards and a score as the Orioles clinched the Northwest Suburban Conference West Division title. Quarterback Matt Miedtke passed for a touchdown and scored another on a 5-yard run.

“Our defense has played like that all year,” Osseo coach Derrin Lamker said. “Our offense gets all the publicity, but our defense has been great. They finally figured it out.”

Totino-Grace, struggling to get its power running game on track against Osseo’s fast, quick defense, took to the air for both of its touchdowns. Quarterback Seth Sullwold hit Daryl Waindim on an 8-yard fade that tied the score 7-7 and tossed a 6-yard swing pass to Kai Barber that cut Osseo’s lead to 21-14.

Key of the game: On Osseo’s first play from scrimmage in the second half, Hampton turned a simple dive play into a 67-yard touchdown, breaking a scoreless tie.

Quote: “We knew we’d have to run the ball in the second half. We thought we might get a few yards on the dive, but I never expected to get that many on one play.” — Lamker

One thing to know: Totino-Grace won the 2012 Northwest Suburban West Division with a victory at Osseo. The Orioles returned the favor this year, winning the conference title at Totino-Grace. “We don’t think about revenge during the season, but it’s always in the back of our minds,” Miedtke said.

JIM PAULSEN

First report as the game ended

After a first half of near misses, Osseo (7-1) got its offense rolling in the second half, scoring 28 points en route to a 28-14 victory at Totino-Grace. The Orioles clinched the championship of the Northwest Suburban West with the victory.

After a 0-0 first half, the Orioles broke through on their first play from scrimmage in the third quarter on a 67-yard burst by Jaimen Hampton. They added two more touchdowns on the ground and 21-yard touchdown pass from Matt Miedtke to Connor Kittleson.

Totino-Grace (6-2) struggled to establish a running game against Osseo’s quick defensive front. The Eagles scored their two touchdowns on passes by quarterback Seth Sullwold.