Scrimmage nets big plays for Haller, Schultz

The Ottawa University football’s annual spring Black-Gold game Saturday was highlighted by a number of big plays both offensively and defensively.

“It was slow going initially offensively [to start spring practices], replacing thre starters in our offensive line, but our young guys showed great improvement today,” Ottawa coach Kessinger said.

The coaching staff ran the game as a controlled scrimmage with a point system that rewarded each team for big plays, forced punts, and tackles for loss along with the traditional points for touchdowns and field goals.

“The point system allows for us to reward both sides of the ball for great plays and makes everything more competitive,” said Kessinger.

The Gold won 57-44,

Senior quarterback Ethan Haller and receiver Zach Schultz led the Gold team and seemed to pick right back up from their success from this past fall.

Haller spread the wealth in the opening 10-play, 65-yard drive capping it off with a 27-yard touchdown strike to Schultz.

Haller was 7-for-12 for 100 yards and a touchdown. Zach Schultz would lead all receivers with four catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

Schultz even got to do a little quarterbacking when he took a handoff from Haller faked a sweep, set up and threw to Chris Davidsmeyer for a 45-yard touchdown.

A lot of Brave players got work in the scrimmage as the coaching staff wanted to see how the young players had progressed. The Braves played three quarterbacks, six receivers had receptions, and the running back tandem of Rashad Tucker and Clinton Weldin got plenty of action.

Senior running back Andy Otto was participating in a track meet.

Defensively the Braves again show why they were highly ranked in a number of statistical categories last season. Defensive lineman Jamison Shaw and Jarvis Reed had good days getting to the quarterback and recording several tackles for loss.

Newcomer defensive end D.J. Grayson also showed that he is going to be a good addition to the defensive line.

Reed’s day was highlighted by an interception on a screen pass stopping a potential Gold team scoring drive.

“Our defense has really thrived off of coach [Josh] Homolka’s leadership,” Kessinger said. “We tried a couple new ideas this spring that I think will keep our opponents this fall up at night figuring out how to contain our aggressive defense.”

The Braves are No. 22 in the NAIA spring football poll and opens the season Aug. 29 against McKendree University (Ill.) in the College Fanz First Down Classic in Platte City, Mo.