IRON WILL: Osborne Bulldogs; Wallace Co. Wildats ■ By Conor Nicholl
Photo by Everett Royer, ksportsimages.com
For Kansas Pregame
In the last three years, Osborne is well-known for two areas: offense and speed. After years of struggling in the 11-man ranks, Osborne moved down to eight-man three years ago and posted marks of 10-2, 10-2 and 6-3. In each of the first two seasons, the Bulldogs reached the Eight-Man, Division I sub-state championship game. In 2010, Osborne ranked third with 580 points in the classification. In 2011, the Bulldogs stood second with 658 points and running back Damon Schurr set the eight-man record for total touchdowns in a single year with 51, according to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. Last year, the Bulldogs tallied 424 points and ranked tenth. Only Madison has scored more points in the classification in the last three seasons. This season, Osborne will again have a strong offense and be among the top Eight-Man, Division I teams because of several speedy playmakers. That speed forms from third-year coach Steve Tiernan’s coaching career and his own mantras. Tiernan was on legendary Liberal coach Gary Cornelsen’s staff from 1994-97 and saw firsthand how Cornelsen combined football, the weight room and track. Cornelsen went 105-15 with the Redskins and won 14 straight track championships, easily the best in Kansas history. Tiernan has followed the slogans of “get better everyday” and “do your job” in building powers at Baileyville B&B and having a 16-5 record in his first two years with Osborne. “He is a person who knows the game, he knows how to motivate people on and off the field,” current B&B coach Justin Coup said. “You can tell that by the way the kids work in the weight room. They are motivated to make sure they are getting better. He is also a person who makes sure you support each other. He doesn’t coach just the all-stars. He coaches everybody.” Senior Kenton Ubelaker, entering his fourth year as a defensive starter, returns after he tallied 2,140 all-purpose yards, including 1,136 rushing. He also collected 67 tackles and seven interceptions. As a sophomore, he picked up 116 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Senior Maverick Lerock rushed for 789 yards and collected 933
KENTON UBELAKER & DALTON WALKER
UBELAKER & WALKER / Continued on page 62
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