MARIETTA - On a loud and spirited senior night at Cardinal Stadium, Osborne used a second half surge to defeat visiting South Paulding, 25-7. The victory gave Osborne three wins in a season for the first time in 15 years.

Senior tailback Jerimi Johnson carried the ball 11 times for 89 yards, including a 76 yard scoring run in the first quarter. Fellow running back Emmitt Rice also chipped in with 68 yards on 14 carries, giving the senior rushing tandem a combined 155 yards.

"This is a great feeling," said Osborne head coach Troy Jones. "This senior class is a group that I've seen grow since my second year here, and they've established a great legacy for future Cardinals to follow."

South Paulding seemed poised to ruin Osborne's celebration when the Spartans got on the scoreboard first on the game's opening series.

After South Paulding's drive stalled at midfield, Osborne forced a punt only to fumble the return deep in its own territory. South Paulding resumed possession at the Osborne 9 yard line, and two plays later tailback Isaiah Jones found the end zone on a 2-yard dive, giving his squad the early 7-0 lead. The touchdown was one of Jones' 16 carries for 83 yards.

After getting a fourth down stop from its defense later in the quarter, Osborne took over at their own 29 and got things rolling.

Johnson took a handoff from Brandon Lowe, got loose on the left side of the field, and outran the South Paulding defense with a game-tying 76 yard run. The play was the first of 25 unanswered points that Osborne would score in the contest.

The Cardinals took their first lead of the night in the second quarter, when Lowe led the offense on a 12-play, 65-yard drive finished by Lowe when he dove into the end zone on a quarterback keeper from 1-yard out.

The possession consumed more than 6 minutes, and gave Osborne a 14-7 lead that it would take into the locker room at halftime.

In a scoreless third quarter, Osborne's defense clamped down and took control of the game, getting interceptions from seniors Romel Ward and Sammy Derisca.

After allowing six first downs to South Paulding's offense in the first half, Osborne's defense only conceded one after halftime. Isaiah Jones also saw his production halted in the second half when he was held to only 15 yards on six carries.

After driving to the South Paulding 7-yard line, Osborne was forced to attempt a 24-yard field goal, converted by Randy Black, who was on the field in replacement of the injured Muhammad Dumbuya.

On South Paulding's next play from scrimmage, Derisca made his interception of a Tony Daniel pass, returning it deep inside Spartans' territory. The play set up an 8-yard scoring run by Rice, effectively sealing the Osborne victory, extending the lead to 23-7 with 6:50 remaining in the game.

In the post-game celebration on-field, Osborne players and coaches weren't focusing on statistics, but reflecting on the careers of seniors like Johnson and Rice.

"I know it's been a long season," Jones told his team, "But I've never been more proud to be your coach."

"This is a really good feeling, getting a win on senior night. I have to give all the honor to God, to my mother, and to my coaches and teammates." Johnson said. "As for the future of Osborne's program when we talk about setting an example as seniors, it's more than just football. It's about setting an example in the classroom, and in the community. We want everyone to know what it means to be an Osborne Cardinal. This team has a bright future."

Osborne's final game of the season will take place next week when the Cardinals travel to play Cass.