When quarterbacks such as Andover’s Connor Wilkie and Osseo’s Matt Miedtke share the field, fans anticipate a game of aerial H-O-R-S-E, featuring tight spirals thrown for big yards.

But earlier this week, Osseo coach Derrin Lamker, a former high school and college quarterback himself, predicted something else. He expected Friday’s game at Osseo to be a defensive struggle and challenged his guys to make the difference.

The Orioles responded throughout a 20-7 victory against previously undefeated Andover (4-1). Wilkie finished 20-for-42 passing for 134 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, despite averaging almost 300 passing yards and three touchdowns per outing.

“Mike Johnson, our defensive coordinator, and Jason Moden did a phenomenal job with the defense,” Lamker said. “They kind of stymied Andover with some different pass rushes.”

Indeed, Andover could not find the end zone on any of its seven first-half drives. The Huskies’ initial first down came in the second quarter on its fifth overall possession.

Andover’s defense and special teams created great field position, recovering Osseo fumbles on two consecutive second-quarter possessions. But the Huskies could not capitalize. Late in the first half, Andover pass attempts on third and fourth down fell incomplete in the end zone.

Osseo linebackers Kefa Onyangore and Andrew Lanners recorded sacks of Wilkie. High-energy players such as defensive end Rich Davis kept him off balance and out of rhythm. Andover coach Rich Wilkie credited Osseo’s defensive line speed for creating problems for the Huskies’ offensive line.

“That’s the first time Connor Wilkie’s been hit all year,” Lamker said. “He was on the turf a lot tonight and that’s what you’ve got to do to him.”

Not that Osseo’s offense cracked the code. Osseo (4-1) took a 7-0 halftime lead as Miedtke finished a 10-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.
 
By then the tone was set. 

Wilkie and Miedtke, who came into the game combining for more than 2,000 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, would not be setting any records. Tough defense, Osseo’s dropped balls and Andover’s penalties would see to that.

Miedtke figured in the game’s most explosive play, a 72-yard touchdown pass to Connor Kittelson to give Osseo a 14-0 third-quarter lead. For Kittelson, it was redemption for two dropped passes on the Orioles’ previous drive.

Andover answered with Derek McLaughlin’s 3-yard scoring run to make the score 14-7, a mark that stood into the fourth quarter.

Jaimen Hampton finished a 14-play drive with a short scoring run and Osseo led 20-7. Two interceptions by Orioles safety Jordan Hollie gave the defense an emphatic final word.

“It was a great team effort on defense,” Hollie said.

Reminded that his diving interception near the sideline was an outstanding individual effort, Hollie smiled and said, “I saw him scrambling and looking for someone to throw to. I was reading his eyes and came up and made a play.”

Key of the game: The city and the nickname begin with O, but Friday’s game was all about the Osseo Orioles’ D. Turning loose a fast and creative pass rush, Osseo gave Andover quarterback Connor Wilkie fits. He finished 20-for-42 passing for 134 yards and no touchdowns. Wilkie came into the game averaging almost 300 passing yards and three touchdowns per outing.

Quote: “Our defensive guys are prideful and they felt like all anyone was talking about was Andover’s offense and Connor Wilkie. They thought they were as good as him, if not better, and they showed it tonight.” — Osseo coach Derrin Lamker

One thing to know: Osseo quarterback Matt Miedtke did not top his five-touchdown performance from last week. But he went 10-for-20 passing for 213 yards and co-authored the game’s most explosive play, a 72-yard touchdown pass to Connor Kittelson.

DAVID LA VAQUE