By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
There's a saying on a popular Twin Cities sports radio station whenever a pair of undefeated - or winless - teams square off: "Somebody's 'O' has got to go."
That was the situation as the 0-2 NRHEG High School football team hosted 0-2 St. Clair/Mankato Loyola Friday, Sept. 22.
Unfortunately, the Panthers' 'O' is still intact.
The visitors scored 10 first-quarter points and handed the Panthers a 17-0 setback on a rain-soaked field in New Richland.
"We had a tough time in the rain moving the ball and the Spartans were able to use some good breaks to their advantage," said NRHEG coach Marc Kruger.
Among them were a big pass on a broken play that led to a touchdown, a safety on a bad punt snap, and a blocked punt to set up another touchdown.
"They did a great job at the end of the game keeping the ball away from us with some ground and pound," said Kruger. "We will look to get some things figured out for Medford next week."
The Spartans' first score came on a 4-yard pass, after which they were successful on a two-point conversion. The safety, on which the Panther punter was tackled in the end zone, made it 10-0 at the end of the first period.
It remained that way until the Spartans scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter. The PAT kick was good.
The Panthers were limited to 36 offensive plays to the Spartans' 59. NRHEG was outgained 231-104 in total yards, including 156-24 rushing, and managed only four first downs. The Panthers also fumbled twice, with the visitors recovering each time.
Quarterback Alden Dobberstein passed for 80 yards while going 9-for-17 with two interceptions. He led NRHEG with 33 yards rushing. Jaylin Raab caught three passes for 52 yards, Sam Olson three for 23.
Jace Ihrke led the NRHEG defense with eight tackles, four of them for losses, and one sack. Dillon Parpart had seven tackles, Raab five.
The Panthers had a rough night punting the ball, averaging 26 yards in four tries.
The Panthers will try again for a win Friday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at Medford. The Tigers are also 0-4 after being blanked 29-0 by USC last week.
The next week, NRHEG hosts WEM (1-3) for homecoming.
St. Clair/Loyola 17, NRHEG 0
SC/ML 10 0 0 7 — 17
NRHEG 0 0 0 0 — 0
First Quarter
SCML — Ward 4 pass from Blount (two-point conversion successful
SC/ML — Safety
Second Quarter
No scoring
Third Quarter
No scoring
Fourth Quarter
SC/ML — Kruse 1 run (Schimek kick)
SC/ML NRHEG
Total plays 59 36
First downs 11 4
Rushing 156 24
Passing 5-11-0 9-17-2
Passing Yds. 75 80
Total offense 231 104
Third down 6-12 1-7
Fourth down 0-2 1-3
Fumbles lost 0 2
Penalties 9-66 7-16
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing – NRHEG: Dobberstein 4-33; Cromwell 3-9; Olson 1-2; Raab 6 —4; Roesler 1 —16; SC/ML: Bade 10-74; Kruse 16-40; Lentz 3 —4; Blount 1 —8; Rest of team 10-54
Passing – NRHEG: Dobberstein 0-17-2, 80; SC/ML: Blount 5-11-0, 75
Receiving – NRHEG: Raab 3-52; Olson 3-23; Knudson 1-3; Roesler 1-2; SC/ML: Ward 5-75
NRHEG Defense – Ihrke 8 solo tackles, 1 sack; Parpart 7 solo tackles; Raab 5 solo tackles, 1 assist; Cromwell 4 tackles; Flatland 3 tackles, 2 assists; Olson 3 tackles, 1 assist; Bartlett 2 tackles; Roesler 1 tackle; Schlaak 1 tackle; Degen 1 tackle, Baumann 1 tackle; Chrz 1 tackle; Jones 1 tackle; Staloch 1 assist; Miranda 1 assist; Flatness 1 assist; Rest of team 4 tackles, 1 assist