HIRAM - Osborne's second half comeback effort came up just short as it fell to undefeated region 7AAAA leaders, 20-6.

The Cardinals' defense showed up in full force, holding the high powered Hiram offense to only 13 points and not allowing a single first down in the second and third quarters.

Down 7-0 at halftime, Osborne (2-4, 0-3) would finally get its offense clicking in the third quarter, going on a 12-play, 83-yard drive capped off from 4 yards out as quarterback Brandon Lowe found Nykie Height on a fade route making the score 7-6.

Another defensive stand to start the final quarter had the ball back in Osborne's hands at midfield looking to take the lead with 10 minutes to play. But on a deep pass from Lowe, again intended for Height, Hiram defensive back Tavaris Appleby tipped the ball to himself for the interception, then made a dazzling 70-yard return for a touchdown to put the score 14-6.

Another Lowe interception, followed by a 69-yard touchdown run from Hiram's Javon Simon, would put the game out of reach for a 20-6 final.

"I put this game on my shoulders, take nothing away from Hiram, they are a great team but I feel like I made a few calls, that cost us the game, this is on my shoulders," Osborne coach Troy Jones said.

Hiram (7-0, 3-0) opened the scoring on a 20-yard touchdown run from junior Charlie Sashington with 3:00 to play in the first quarter.

As Osborne's defense stepped up to keep the team in the game, the Cardinal offense failed to capitalize on Hiram mistakes early in the game. Two fumble recoveries inside the Hiram 30 would lead to no points as the offense struggled to find its rhythm and could only muster 23 yards of offense in the first half.

"The defense played light out today," Jones said "They kept us in the game right up until the end, I couldn't be more proud of my guys and the way they played today."

The win keeps the Hiram undefeated heading into a battle of region powerhouses next week against Hillgrove. "Hillgrove is a great team," Hiram coach Andy Dorsey said. "If we come out and play sloppy again we won't win that game. Like I told the kids, it is great to be 7-0, but it's playoff type games from here on out, if we lose our next three we will be sitting at home come playoff time."