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Nickel, Mounds View overwhelms Osseo

By Peter Odney, SportsEngine, 10/28/16, 7:15AM CDT

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Quarterback Ryan Nickel and a potent Mustang offense blew out the Orioles.


Senior quarterback Ryan Nickel threw three touchdown passes to lead Mounds View to a 35-16 victory over Osseo in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament at Mounds View High School on Friday night. Photo by Rick Orndorf, SportsEngine


Mounds View running back Jack Graham scored on a 37-yard touchdown pass in a 35-16 victory over Osseo in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament at Mounds View High School on Friday night. Photo by Rick Orndorf, SportsEngine

The Mounds View High School football website states in its section about offensive philosophy that each play series will feature an inside run, an outside run and a misdirection run, with a play-action pass listed after those three running plays, as if it’s an afterthought.

After Friday night, the Mustangs may want to move the play-action pass up the list.

Senior quarterback Ryan Nickel tossed three touchdown passes as the Mustangs cruised to a 35-16 win over Osseo in the opening round of the Class 6A state tournament, with Nickel finding junior tight end Max Janes for two of those scores.

“We’ve had a couple other games where we’ve had some play-action passes, especially to Max,” longtime Mustangs coach Jim Galvin said.

One of Janes’ touchdowns came on an 80-yard beauty, with the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Janes snagging a pass from Nickel and then tip-toeing down the sideline past the Osseo defense late in the second quarter.

“I get on coach every day and tell him to throw me the ball more,” Janes said, adding that his chemistry with Nickel is due to their strong friendship.

Nickel’s explanation for his strong play could reside in the wispy blond caterpillar that resides on his upper lip.

“Middle linebacker (and) senior captain Ross Indlecoffer and I said freshman year that I should go my whole life without shaving it,” Nickel said of his mustache with a laugh.

“I’ve never shaved this my whole life, so I gotta keep it going,” Nickel added, while thanking the mustache, Janes and his offensive line for his impressive performance.

Nickel finished the game with 163 passing yards and three touchdowns, with senior running back Jack Graham catching the TD pass between Janes’ scoring receptions.

Senior fullback Xavier Myles ran for a 16-yard touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter for Mounds View (7-2), which will face Lakeville North in the second round of the playoffs on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.

Despite trailing 35-0, Osseo (2-7) staged a valiant effort in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, with senior receiver Martelius Hughes and senior running back Parnell Taylor each running for touchdowns.

“I’m really proud of the guys for just sticking with it and finishing with some pride,” Orioles coach Ryan Stockhaus said, adding that he was impressed by Mounds View meeting his team at midfield for an extra postgame handshake and huddle.

“It definitely picks the night up a little bit after that kind of stuff,” Stockhaus said.

First Report

Senior quarterback Ryan Nickel threw three touchdown passes to lead Mounds View to a resounding 35-16 victory over Osseo in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament at Mounds View High School on Friday night. 

Two of Nickel’s touchdown passes were thrown to junior tight end Max Janes, including an 80-yard play in which Janes tip-toed down the sideline past the Osseo defense to put the Mustangs (7-2) ahead 21-0 late in the second quarter. 

The Mustangs were ranked No. 11 in the final Associated Press Class 6A poll. 

Osseo senior receiver Martelius Hughes and senior running back Parnell Taylor each ran for touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the Orioles (2-7).

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