West’s big day lifts Oswego

Updated: October 8, 2011 12:40AM

Ryan West threw for over 400 yards Friday for Oswego, attempting 31 passes in the first half alone.

The Panther defense was finally able to slow down the Plainfield South big-play offense in the second half, enough to outlast the visiting Cougars 54-32.

In the back-and-forth first half, Oswego led initially on an 11-yard scoring pass from West to Josh Mapolo, but Plainfield South grabbed a 14-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter on a 60 yard scoring run by Dantrell Wright and a 32-yard touchdown pass from Austin Howarth to Ryan Turk.

West began to bombard the Cougars in the second quarter and found three different receivers for scores. He found Mickeel Stewart for 52 yards, Elliot McGaughey for 22 and Jack Kwiatkowski for a 12 yard score. McGaughey’s score came three plays after Kwiatkowski intercepted Howarth in Plainfield South territory. The barrage allowed the Panthers to take a 27-14 lead right before the intermission.

The Cougars rammed in another quick score, however, as Jonathan Kosirog raced almost untouched for a 44 yard score. Oswego had an uncomfortable 27-20 lead at halftime.

The teams traded scores in the first five minutes of the third.

Stewart had a 34 yard touchdown run for Oswego, and Wright finished a 68 yard drive for Plainfield South by running it in from two yards.

Stewart scored his third touchdown with 3 minutes left in the third quarter on an eight-yard run, and the Panthers led 40-26, still a less than comfortable margin.

Trading scores again early in the fourth quarter, Oswego was up 47-32. West teamed with McGaughey again on a 37-yard score to give the Panthers their final margin.

“We’re getting better on defense. That’s a pretty high-powered team with speed,” said Oswego coach Dave Keely. “Disappointed that we gave up this many points? Yes. But we were able to keep it on our positive side.”

West finished the contest going 25-for-43 for 403 yards, and Stewart backed that with 97 yards on 14 carries for Oswego.

Kosirog rushed for 172 yards on just 10 carries.

Oswego’s record is now 5-2, and 5-0 in the Southwest Prairie, while Plainfield South goes to 3-4 and 2-3.

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