A statement win.

That is what the Owensville Dutchmen football coaching staff called OHS’ 53-13 victory Friday night over the visiting Union Wildcats.

“We were able to come out and take care of business putting last week’s second half against Pacific behind us,” Dutchmen head football coach Nathan Cabot said.

For the sixth week in a row, Owensville won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half.

That worked yet again with Owensville’s defense forcing Union to a three-and-out on their opening drive.

Needing only two minutes to travel 61 yards, Cabot’s Dutchmen quickly broke the scoreless tie.

Two plays after converting a fourth-and-five, OHS junior quarterback Brendan Decker found senior tight end TC Fisher open in the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown pass.

Charlie Whelan’s extra point kick at the 8:43 mark of the opening quarter gave Owensville an early 7-0 lead.

“My offensive line gave me all the time I needed and I give them a lot of props,” Decker said.

Decker finished with 283 yards through the air on 17-23 passing and five touchdowns with no interceptions.

Another Union three-and-out turned into a quick scoring drive for the Dutchmen.

Taking over at Union’s 43-yard line with 7:44 left in the quarter, OHS needed just over two minutes and seven plays to add to their lead.

Austin Lowder started the drive with a 12-yard run and finished with a 1-yard TD run at the 5:15 mark of the first quarter.

In spite of Whelan’s missed kick, Owensville led Union 13-0 just beyond the midway point of the first quarter.

Taking their 13-0 lead into the start of the second quarter, Owensville saw a fumble help Union get on the scoreboard.

Traveling 68 yards in nine plays, the drive was capped on a 32-yard TD pass from Union quarterback Liam Hughes to Colton Morrow with 9:31 left until halftime.

Gavin Wencker’s extra point left the Wildcats trailing OHS 13-7.

A lot of trust was in Owensville’s next drive on offense.

Facing a fourth-and-three from their 28-yard line, Cabot’s Dutchmen decided to go for it.

In spite of Decker’s pass for Bryce Payne being incomplete, Union was flagged for pass interference giving OHS an automatic first down.

“Casey (Fisher) saw something and I trusted him,” Cabot said when deciding whether to go for it on fourth down.

Advancing the ball to Union’s 42-yard line, Owensville saw themselves in a third-and-seven.

Going to the air, Decker found Derek Brandt on a 42-yard TD pass at the 6:55 mark of the second quarter. Even after the failed two-point conversion attempt, OHS bumped their lead back up to 19-7.

Brandt finished with 182 yards receiving on eight catches and two touchdowns.

After Union turned the ball over on downs on their next offensive possession, the Dutchmen needed barely a minute to add to their lead.

Going four plays in just over a minute, Owensville capped a 38-yard drive on a Decker to Payne 17-yard TD pass. Whelan’s kick at the 4:49 mark of the second quarter gave OHS a 26-7 lead nearly five minutes until halftime.

An unlikely defender stepped up for the Dutchmen on Union’s next offensive possession.

Lowder sacked Hughes on fourth-and-six forcing a turnover on downs giving Owensville’s offense the ball back on their 37-yard line.

Nine plays and 63 yards later, Lowder capped the drive with a 7-yard TD run in the final minute of the half.

Lowder finished the game with 70 yards rushing on 13 carries and two touchdowns.

Whelan’s kick put Owensville in front 33-7 with 42.2 until halftime.

Third-quarter action saw both teams trade scores near the later portion of the period.

Getting the ball back near the midway mark of the quarter, OHS went 67 yards in five plays capped by a Decker to Payne 33-yard TD pass. Whelan’s kick pushed the Owensville lead to 40-7 with 3:58 for the third quarter.

Payne finished with 57 yards receiving on four catches with two touchdowns.

Four plays later, Union had an answer in the form of a Hughes to Hayden Burke 65-yard TD pass.

Following the missed extra point, Owensville lead Union 40-13 after three quarters.

In the final 12 minutes, Owensville scored on a Decker to Brandt 27-yard TD pass and a TJ Whelan 1-yard TD run giving the Dutchmen their 53-13 margin of victory.

OHS will travel to Sullivan Friday night for week seven at 7 p.m.