Eudora ? Offense by committee isn’t Eudora High football coach Gregg Webb’s abiding philosophy, but it will have to do, at least for a while.

Webb used three quarterbacks and four ball carriers as the Cardinals clipped Osawatomie, 26-16, overcoming a stunning 16-0 deficit Friday night at Laws Field.

“We have the potential to get down 16-0 to anybody,” Webb said. “We’ve got some issues. We have so many dead plays — bad snaps, misalignments, fumbles.”

Webb has been looking for a steady signal-caller since returning veteran Tyler Cleveland suffered a shoulder injury in the first series of the season opener.

Friday, Webb started senior Josh Lauer at QB, quickly switched to junior Joe Kaup, then eventually settled on sophomore Kyle Brouhard.

Osawatomie, long a Frontier League punching bag and a team that surrendered 57 points to the Cardinals last year, struck on its third play when quarterback Zach Madden ran the option left, pivoted, bolted up the field and sprinted untouched 89 yards to the end zone.

Eudora’s ensuing drive lasted just three plays before Brouhard fumbled — one of three the Cards lost — and Osawatomie took over just 27 yards from the end zone. Seven plays later, the Trojans scored again on Madden’s one-yard sneak to post the abrupt 16-0 lead.

“We were a little surprised,” Eudora co-captain Chris Gabriel said.

Eudora High coach Gregg Webb reacts to a fumbled snap in the first quarter against Osawatomie. The Cardinals overcame a 16-point deficit in a 26-16 victory Friday night at Laws Field in Eudora.

Surprise soon gave way to resolve.

“We needed to play with intensity, heart and desire,” Gabriel said. “We did, and it shows we can come together as a team.”

Osawatomie (1-2) never threatened again as the Cards (3-0) rallied to slice the gap to 16-6 at halftime, then dominated the second half.

“We just ran up against a really good team,” Osawatomie coach Rod Madden said. “That was the main thing. We were fortunate to get a lead early, but they were able to adjust.”

Brouhard settled down in the second half and the Cards used interceptions by Joey Donahue and Josh Brouhard to abort a couple of Osawatomie possessions and set up scores.

Four Eudora running backs combined for 228 yards in 38 carries. Fullback Brandon Jackson led the quartet with 99 yards in 14 carries. Luke Abel counted 67 yards on a dozen carries, Mark Lister 42 on eight totes and Josh Barr 20 on four trips.

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Abel scored twice; Jackson and Lister had one each.

“It showed good character for our kids to come back,” Webb said. “All the mistakes we were making, though, I wondered how many chances we were going to get.”

At times, Webb was so frustrated on the sidelines he yelled at his players, at the officials, at anybody handy.

“I didn’t think it was our night,” Webb said. “But we haven’t really played well on any of our nights. I guess that’s got to be my fault. But a lot of that has to do with not having Tyler.”

No doubt the Cardinals miss the 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior quarterback.

“Tyler is a big part of our team,” Gabriel said. “Words can’t describe what he means to us.”

Cleveland could be back for Friday’s trip to Paola, but, Webb said, “I’m not expecting it.”

Eudora High running back Mark Lister, right, follows Joey Donahue upfield during the first half against Osawatomie High. Eudora won Friday's game, 26-16, in Eudora.