Fourth-quarter rally falls short in 35-16 loss to MCW
SWARMING DEFENSE — Panther defenders Spencer Tollefson (6) and Noah Krell (52) chase Martin County West quarterback Austin Krumwiede along the Mustangs’ sideline at New Richland Friday night. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
NEW RICHLAND – After scoring just seven points in its first two games, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva football team was seeking some offense.
The Panthers put 16 points on the scoreboard in the final quarter, but still suffered their third straight setback, a 35-16 defeat to Martin County West in NRHEG’s home opener Friday.
The Mavericks, who blanked NRHEG 14-0 last season, improved to 1-1 in the conference and 2-1 overall.
The Panthers slid into the cellar in the Gopher/Valley AA Conference at 0-2 and lost their third in a row overall.
NRHEG, which was playing without Dillon Parpart and Brandon Herrmann, may have also lost starting quarterback Casey Rosacker for next week. He rolled his ankle near the end of the game and will be questionable for Friday.
“I am proud of the effort our kids put forward tonight,” said NRHEG coach Dan Stork. “Our number one goal was to play hard for the entire 48 minutes and our kids did just that.”MCW got off to a quick start, jumping to a 14-0 lead after one quarter.
Austin Krumwiede romped into the end zone from 17 yards out for the first score of the night.
MCW’s next possession resulted in a 19-yard scoring strike from Joe Faber to Mitch Sitzman. Tyson Schuder kicked both extra points and the Mavericks were off and running.
NRHEG’s defense toughened up as the Panthers shut out MCW in the second quarter. But, the NRHEG offense still could not make any headway and faced a 14-0 deficit at the intermission.
MCW increased its lead to 21-0 after three quarters when Krumwiede got loose on a 20-yard scoring romp and Schuder added the PAT.
The Mavs upped their lead to 28-0 early in the final quarter when Cordell Weber grabbed a 36-yard TD pass from Faber, and Schuder added the extra point.
NRHEG went to its passing game to end its scoreless streak in the final quarter.
Rosacker found Spencer Tollefson with a 36-yard scoring strike, and the same combination worked for the two-point conversion.
Brad Claycomb and Rosacker hooked up on a 59-yard play later in the quarter. Claybomb also caught the two-point play from Rosacker.
Sitzman exploded for a 71-yard scoring run late to end the scoring.
NRHEG held a 65 to 48 advantage in total plays run, but MCW out gained the Panthers 429-296. The Mavs won the rushing game 252-82, while the Panthers had the best of it through the air, 214-177. NRHEG had the only turnover of the game.
Rosacker was NRHEG’s top runner, gaining 45 yards on 16 carries. Claycomb added 33 yards on 11 attempts.
Sitzman led the winners by running for 157 yards on 17 carries.
Rosacker completed 13 of 23 passes for 207 yards, including the two scores.
MCW’s Faber was 12-17 for 158 yards and two TDs.
Preston Peterson paced the Panther receivers with five catches for 65 yards. Tollefson caught four passes for 68 yards.
Weber had six receptions for 84 yards and a score for MCW.
Matt Webster was NRHEG’s top tackler with seven stops in the game.
Rosacker, Kevin Minter and Nick Bartness made six tackles each, one more than Claycomb.
“Even though the score doesn’t show it, we played much better tonight,” said Stork. “Our kids kept their composure and played with a lot of class and sportsmanship tonight.”
NRHEG is back on the road Friday, battling undefeated Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial in Lake Crystal. The Knights won their third straight with a 25-21 non-conference win over St. James last week.
LCWM ruined the Panther homecoming last season with a 13-12 victory.
MCW 35, NRHEG 16
MCW 14 0 7 14 35
NRHEG 0 0 0 0 16
Scoring
1st Quarter: (MCW)-Krumwiede 17 yd. run (EP-Schuder kick).
(MCW)-Sitzman 19 yd. pass from Faber (EP-Schuder kick).
2nd Quarter: No scoring.
3rd Quarter: (MCW)-Krumwiede 20 yd. run (EP-Schuder kick).
4th Quarter: (MCW)-Weber 36 yd. pass from Faber (EP-Schuder kick).
(NR)-Tollefson 38 yd. pass from Rosacker (EP-Tollefson pass from Rosacker).
(NR)-Claycomb 59 yd. pass from Rosacker (EP-Claycomb pass from Rosacker.
(MCW)-Sitzman 71 yd. run (EP-Schuder kick).
Team Statistics
NR MCW
First Down 13 19
Yds. Rushing 82 252
Yds. Passing 214 177
Passes 14-27 (0) 13-19 (0)
Total plays 65 48
Total yds. 296 429
Turnovers 1 0
Penalties/yds. 4/30 8/60
Individual Stats
NRHEG Rushing: Rosacker 16/45, Claycomb 11/33, Minter 7/13, Bartness 2/3, Tracy 2/12.
NRHEG Passing: Rosacker 13-23 (2 TDs, 0 intcp.), 207 yds. Tracy 1-4 (0 TDs, 0 intcp.), 7 yds.
NRHEG Receiving: Peterson 5/65, Tollefson 4/68 (1 TD), Bartness 2/5, Claycomb 1/59 (1 TD), Mangskau 1/11, Minter 1/6.
NRHEG Defense: Webster-7 tackles, Rosacker-6, Minter-6, Bartness-6, Claycomb-5 (recovered an onside kick), Krell-4, Tollefson-4, Mangskau-4, White-4, Jewett-3, Maxon-3, Peterson-2, Logan-2, Jensen-1, Hanson-1, Arnold-1, Field-1
NEXT: Friday-NRHEG at LCWM (Lake Crystal), 7 p.m.