Has Ottawa High football coach Pat Boeh ever been so blessed?

This season has been spectacular for Boeh and the Cyclones. A 7-1 record. A team that averages 39 points per game. A seemingly endless stock of quality players with talent and experience.

The planets, it seems, finally have lined up. And as a result, the Cyclones are rolling, heading into today’s 7 p.m. showdown with Osawatomie at Ottawa.

“A lot of the credit goes to the offensive line,” Boeh said of his front five of Caleb Blakesly, John Casady, Levi Bowen, Josh Rusk and Michael Espinosa. “With their help, our offense has been clicking as of late.”

Yeah, more like the whole season. Ottawa scored 40 or more points in three of its first four games and has scored 50 or more in each of its last two. Take away the hiccup at Atchison, a 35-16 loss, and there has been only one close game this season — a 24-14 victory against Paola. It’s Paola’s only loss this year.

For Ottawa, the offense seems to be the key. With an experienced quarterback like senior Gabe Sheffield having lots to work with, the Cyclones find plenty of ways to score.

But lately, it has been tailback Jason Houston. The senior has rushed for 430 yards the last two weeks, with six touchdowns against Anderson County and five more against Burlington.

Now, with the return of standout wide receiver Lee Baldwin — he missed four weeks because of a broken hand — the offense opens up a little more for Houston and senior fullback Dom Nation.

“Defenses have to respect Lee’s pass-catching ability,” Boeh said. “His return gives us a lot of confidence, too. He’s a three-year starter.”

Osawatomie (3-5) is the only thing between the Cyclones and a home game in next week’s Class 4A state playoffs. Last year, Ottawa escaped Osawatomie with a 41-39 win in a high-strung shootout.

“We’d like to play a little bit better defense,” Boeh said. “Osawatomie’s playing with a lot of confidence. They’re going to remember last year.”