The varsity football season came to an end on Friday (Oct. 23) against Poplar Bluff. And it was a fitting conclusion.

OHS led 13-12 at halftime in the team’s district game against Poplar Bluff. It was a typical first half for the Tigers, who led at halftime in seven of their 10 games this season. The game, like so many others, unraveled in the second half as OHS lost 37-19.

“Too many turnovers,” head coach Arlee Conners said. “Too many negative plays to come back from against a good team like that. We had some opportunities, and we didn’t make the most of ours.”

Quarterback Bailey Vuylsteke (12) threw for 299 yards, his highest of the season. Runningback Norvell Streeter (12) ran for 86 of the team’s 98 rushing yards.

“Our guys played hard and they fought to the end, so I can be proud of that,” Conners said.

The team struggled to score, though, partially due to interceptions, fumbles, and penalties. The Tigers failed to score 20 points in their last three games against Mehlville, Lindbergh, and Poplar Bluff.

“It’s unfortunate because you do all that practicing and you work so hard and then to come out and not do what you practiced…that’s disappointing,” Conners said. “One of those deals that some of our younger guys will learn from for sure.”

OHS was .500 most of the season but had trouble at the end of the season, ending the season with a record of 4-6.