By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
You have to wonder what was said to the NRHEG football team at halftime last Friday. Whatever it was, it must have been good.
The Panthers trailed winless Medford 26-20 at the intermission, but blanked the Tigers in the second half while romping to a 56-26 triumph in New Richland.
According to Panthers coach Dan Stork, whose team improved to 2-3 in the conference and 3-4 overall, the first-half difference was obvious.
“We made far too many mistakes and Medford played with far more intensity than us in the first half,” said Stork. “They loaded the box and made it difficult for us to run the ball, but Coach Schultz came up with some adjustments at halftime that really made the difference. We were able to control the clock the second half.”Senior Spencer Tollefson had a huge night for the Panthers, returning an interception for a touchdown for NRHEG’s first score and, with 12 seconds remaining in the first half, returning a kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown. He also carried the ball twice, completed a pass for 22 yards and caught one pass for 31 yards.
Another big play for the Panthers came early in the second quarter when Trevor Tracy connected with Jon Cole on a 69-yard touchdown pass.
Tollefson’s kickoff return gave the Panthers some momentum heading into halftime, and the second half was all NRHEG.
Karter Sletten, Alex Merritt and Trey Hoppe scored in the third quarter. Tracy and Perry Peterson ran for touchdowns in the fourth period.
Hoppe finished with 121 yards rushing on 15 carries. Merritt gained 99 on 12 attempts.
Tracy was 4-for-9 passing for 150 yards and no interceptions.
The Panthers outgained Medford 470-224.
Nick Bartness led the NRHEG defense with eight tackles. Hoppe had 6.5 tackles. Palmer Peterson had two interceptions, Tollefson one.
“Trey and Alex had big nights running the ball and Nick continues to lead us defensivley,” said Stork.
The Panthers open section playoffs Tuesday at Maple River.
NRHEG 56, MEDFORD 26
MED 14 12 0 0 26
NRHEG 6 14 22 14 56
Scoring
1st Quarter
NRHEG — Tollefson interception return (Run failed)
MED — N.VonRuden 6 pass from Peterson (Kick failed)
MED — Grems 36 run (Gonzales kick)
2nd Quarter
NRHEG — Cole 69 pass from Tracy (Tollefson pass from Tracy)
MED — Madsen 95 kickoff return (Kick blocked)
MED — N.VonRuden 5 pass from J.VonRuden (Pass failed)
NRHEG — Tollefson 65 kickoff return (Pass failed)
3rd Quarter
NRHEG — K.Sletten 33 pass from Tracy (Tollefson pass from Tracy
NRHEG — Merrritt 5 run (Hoppe run)
NRHEG — Hoppe 7 run (Pass failed)
4th Quarter
NRHEG — Tracy 2 run (Pass failed)
NRHEG — Pe.Peterson 23 run (Peterson run)
Team Statistics
MED NRHEG
First downs 10 19
Yds. Rushing 105 298
Yds. Passing 119 172
Passes 10-18-3 5-11-0
Total plays 51 56
Total yds. 224 470
Turnovers 5 2
Penalties 9-55 8-50
Individual Stats
NRHEG rushing: Hoppe 15-121; Merritt 12-99; Pe.Peterson 1-23; N.Sletten 3-21; Bartness 5-16; Tracy 4-14; Tollefson 2-6; Pa.Peterson 3 —2
MED rushing: Grems 12-69; J.VonRuden 5-18; Peterson 1-4; Gillis 2 —6
NRHEG passing: Tracy 4-9-0, 150; Tollefson 1-2-0, 22
MED passing: J.VonRuden 7-11-1, 108; Peterson 3-7-2, 11
NRHEG receiving: Cole 1-69; K.Sletten 2-55; Tollefson 1-31; Palmer Peterson 1-17
MED receiving: N.VonRuden 5-54; Madsen 2-52; Powers 1-8; Grems 2-5
NRHEG defense: Bartness 8 tackles; Hoppe 6.5; Erickson 4.5; K.Sletten 3; Tollefson 2.5; Wayne 2; Schultz 2; Jensen 1.5; Fitterer 1.5; Mrotz 1.5; Palmer Peterson 1; Cole 1; Tracy 1; Maxon .5; Stenzel .5
NEXT: Tuesday, Oct. 21, section playoffs