Seeking its 28th-consecutive victory, Odessa faced its most spirited opponent of the season. And while the Bulldogs led the whole way, they never built the characteristic lead that necessitates a fourth-quarter running clock Friday night at Oak Grove.
Still, they emerged with a 29-21 win over their Missouri River Valley Conference West rival to extend its win streak to 28.
Blake Heitman scored four times for Odessa (4-0, 1-0), including on runs of 8 yards, 10 yards and 1 yard.
His 17-yard touchdown reception from Garret Bayless midway through the second quarter made it 23-7, but that 16-point difference was as much distance as the Bulldogs could build.
Coming off back-to-back shutouts, the Bulldogs faced their stiffest challenge of the season -- and likely their toughest test since at last Oct. 2, 2020 when they beat Maryville 28-14.
Playing from behind the entire night, Oak Grove (1-3) collected 300 yards of offense -- 106 yards more than Odessa’s output -- thanks to nearly double the number of plays (69-38) and a 2-to-1 time of possession advantage.
Jamison Kirk twice scored from short yardage, adding a 2-point conversion run after his second TD, to close the gap to eight points.
But Heitman’s performance kept Odessa in control, even as the Bulldogs had their lowest scoring output since that Maryville game last year.
Then, after Carson Smith crossed the goal line with 9:23 left in the game to pull Oak Grove to within eight again, Odessa’s defense came through the rest of the way to preserve the win.
