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Quarterback switch helps lift Maple Grove to 31-7 victory over Osseo

By JIM PAULSEN, Star Tribune, 10/30/20, 11:00PM CDT

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Previous starter Nate Elmes moved to fullback and sophomore Jacob Kilzer went under center. Both moves paid off handsomely.


Maple Grove quarterback Jacob Kilzer (9) searched for an open receiver in the first half Friday against Osseo. Photo: ANTHONY SOUFFLE • anthony.souffle@startribune.com

Nate Elmes lost his job, found another that suited him perfectly and had more fun Friday than he’s had all season.

The sturdy senior was replaced at quarterback before Maple Grove’s 31-7 romp over Osseo. Leaving a position he had played since his sophomore season, he was moved to fullback and ran like he’d played the position his whole life. He rushed for 90 tough yards, scored touchdowns on runs of 2 and 29 yards and never once hung his head or felt sorry for himself.

“It’s just the way this season has worked out,” Elmes said. “Coach [Matt] Lombardi, he wanted to control the line of scrimmage, and me being 6-3 and 225 pounds, he felt that was the best possible way, to have me be a run force.”

The change was spurred by the Crimson’s 13-6 loss to Centennial in its previous game. Lombardi realized his team was lacking something, so he asked sophomore Jacob Kilzer to take over under center.

Kilzer’s outing wasn’t perfect, but it was efficient and largely mistake-free. What Lombardi was seeking — more physicality on offense and more energy from the team — was evident from the start.

First report

Maple Grove switched quarterbacks before their game against Osseo, moving previous starter Nate Elmes to fullback and inserting sophomore Jacob Kilzer under center.

Good move.

Kilzer operated the offense well and Elmes used his 6-3, 218-pound body to power his way to 90 yards and two rushing touchdowns  as the Crimson cruised past Osseo 31-7.

Maple Grove, which struggled offensively in a 13-6 loss to Centennial the previous week, installed Kilzer to get them a spark and it worked immediately Friday at Osseo. The Crimson had 25 first quarter plays from scrimmage to just three for Osseo en route to a 3-0 lead.

Maple Grove added to its lead with two touchdowns in the second quarter on a two-yard dive from Elmes and a 65-yard strike from Kilzer to Damarian McCoy, his first catch of the season.

The Crimson got two long touchdown runs on the third quarter – 35 yards from Derrick Jameson and 29 from Elmes.

Osseo scored its touchdown in the fourth quarter when Jacob Jackson raced 19 yards around the right side.

Maple Grove improved to 3-1. Osseo fell to 2-2.

Check back later for more on the game.

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