Flags were flying like fall leaves in Friday's football battle between District 279 rivals Osseo and visiting Maple Grove.

Unfortunately for the Orioles, many of the flags were directed against them and at least two of them wiped out big gains. Those costly penalties and a stingy Maple Grove defense were too much for the Orioles, who fell 23-3.

"That game was a very tough one for us," Osseo coach Claud Allaire said. "We did not match up with them up front offensively so our running was very limited. We had to try and make things happen through the air. We had some success but it seemed like every time we hit a play big, it was called back for a penalty which surprised me as our kids usually play clean football."

The Orioles actually started well. Early in the game, they intercepted a Crimson pass at midfield and moved the ball enough to set up a 40-yard field goal by Jerry D'Alessandro. It was the first score surrendered by the Crimson defense in three games. But that was all the Maple Grove defense would allow. The Crimson have not allowed a touchdown since Roseville scored six in the third quarter of the sea-son opener way back on Aug. 30.

Maple Grove's Ryan Schulz gave the Crimson good field position with a strong kick-off return but the Osseo defense led by Shawn Fricke and Ben Roff stood its ground and held Maple Grove to a 23-yard field goal by Matt Shuba.

The Orioles struck for a big play on their next possession as quarterback Paul Solberg hit receiver Jesse Becker for a 46-yard pass play to bring the ball to the Maple Grove 37. But the drive stalled and the Crimson exploded for a big play to go ahead.

On first down on the Maple Grove 28, Crimson senior back Ross Muellenberg found a seam off left tackle, darted through a huge hole and ran untouched into the end zone for a 72-yard touchdown run. Shuba kicked to put Maple Grove up to stay 10-3.

A key penalty call came on Osseo's next possession. Facing third and 11 on their own 22, Solberg threw a perfect spiral to Becker, who made a nice diving catch to put the ball on Maple Grove’s 45. But an official hurled a late flag and called Becker for offensive interference. The call nullified Osseo's first down and pinned the Orioles deep in their zone. They eventually punted and the Crimson gained possession on the Osseo 33. Aided by a 15-yard personal foul against the Orioles, the Crimson took advantage and scored on a third down nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mitch Brecke to receiver Craig Martin. Just like that, it was 17-3 and against a solid Maple Grove defense, the Orioles faced an almost impossible task.

The Orioles continued to struggle running the ball in the second half and their hopes for a comeback bid was snuffed when an illegal motion penalty wiped out a long completion from Solberg to Roff in the third quarter. On the next play, the Crimson defensive back Chase Mudd intercepted Solberg and proceeded to drive down to score. Maple Grove lost Muellenberg to a knee injury after he picked up nine yards on a pitch run but the Crimson kept on marching and scored on a five-yard TD run by Ryan Gust.

"This was the kind of game in which you just try and hang in there and hope to have a chance in the end," Allaire said. "The penalties offensively and Muellenberg's big run prevented us from being able to do that."

"It's a very competitive and intense game," Maple Grove coach Craig Hansen said "Osseo is a good football team. They played tough defense and have good quickness. Offensively, they have the speed kids who can breakaway. Defensively, our kids did another great job and were outstanding. For the most part we kept Osseo from breaking loose."

Osseo managed only 65 yards on 18 carries. Gummy Garcia led Osseo rushers with 43 yards on 10 carries and Solberg had 17 yards on four carries.

Solberg completed four of 19 passes for 112 yards. Becker had three receptions for 69 yards and Tony DeBoer had one for 43 yards.

"Despite the stats, Solberg played well,"Allaire said. "He had several key runs and when given time, made some good throws. Jesse Becker also played well offensively with several receptions. Defensively, our front played well, and our two linebackers, Roff and Fricke, had a very good game."

For Maple Grove, Muellenberg had six carries for 85 yards before his injury. Brecke rushed 19 times for 52 yards and Gust had 37 yards on 11 runs. Brecke also completed four of 10 passes for 61 yards.

Defensively, Luke Greder led the Crimson with nine tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. Mudd had four tackles and one interception. Jordan Mura had five tackles, Brandon Barth had four tackles and a sack, Schulz had an interception and Lucas Vales had four tackles.

The 2-2 Orioles next visit Anoka Friday, Sept. 27. Maple Grove next travels to Elk River for the Elks' homecoming the same night. The Crimson will not have the service of Muellenberg this week.

"X-rays were negative but he is going to get an MRI Wednesday," Hansen said. "He is walking around but it's just very sore and stiff. It's tough to speculate whether he will be out two weeks or four weeks."