Ottumwa Dominates Des Moines Lincoln in 29-12 Victory: Koby Chanthalavanh Shines with 3 Touchdowns
In a Thursday night football showdown, Des Moines Lincoln hosted Ottumwa in a highly-anticipated clash. However, the game did not go as planned for the home team. The Railsplitters suffered a defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs, with a final score of 29-12.
Although it was a team effort from Ottumwa, one player stood out above the rest – running back Koby Chanthalavanh. He played a crucial role in securing the victory for his team, scoring three touchdowns throughout the game. Chanthalavanh wasted no time making an impact as he pushed Matthew Mitchell over the goal line for the first touchdown of the game. He followed it up with two more impressive touchdowns, including a remarkable 67-yard run that put Ottumwa ahead by 15 points heading into halftime. Adding to his stellar performance, Chanthalavanh also made an interception on defense during the first half.
On the other hand, Lincoln struggled to keep up with Ottumwa’s dominance, managing to score only one touchdown in the first half courtesy of Blake Butters. However, the extra-point attempt failed to convert. The Railsplitters found the end zone once again in the fourth quarter, but it was too late to change the course of the game.
Although the loss is disappointing for Lincoln, their coach, Duane Matthess, believes it could serve as a valuable learning opportunity for their upcoming match against Des Moines North. According to Matthess, both Ottumwa and North have similar styles of offense, so Lincoln must learn how to match their opponents’ physicality and stay disciplined in their assignments.
While Ottumwa’s offense was impressive, Lincoln’s defense put up a fight. Judd Dietrich was a disruptive force for the Railsplitters, and Damarius Parker made a crucial interception, returning it to the five-yard line late in the second quarter. Despite these efforts, time ran out before Lincoln could convert the turnover into points. However, the standout defensive player of the match had to be Daniel Sakyiamah. The junior defensive end showcased his skills by recording a sack and recovering a fumble all on the same drive.
Although Ottumwa had control of the game, Lincoln’s offensive weapon, Javon Sanders, was not completely neutralized. Sanders managed to score a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Lincoln found ways to keep the offense moving. Notably, the connection between Jackson Lamb and Blake Butters played a crucial role in Lincoln’s scoring efforts. Butters caught a pass from Lamb for Lincoln’s first touchdown of the game, and later, a spectacular catch-and-run play by Butters set up Sanders for his touchdown.
Coach Matthess acknowledged that Lincoln possesses other offensive weapons apart from Sanders, which becomes crucial when opponents try to crowd the box and stop the run. Butters showcased his abilities by finding open spaces and making impressive catches for his team.
In the end, Ottumwa’s dominant performance secured them the victory against Lincoln. Koby Chanthalavanh’s standout display, with three touchdowns and a crucial interception, solidified his place as a key player in Ottumwa’s triumph. Despite the loss, Lincoln can take away valuable lessons from the game as they look ahead to their next matchup. Both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses, providing an entertaining game for the fans.
