Gruber & Lakers surge late to 35-7 win over MACA

Minnewaska Area assumed control late with a 35-7 win over the Morris Area Chokio Alberta Tigers on September 29. The Lakers notched win No. 4 at their home field. The Tigers slipped to 2-3.
Matthew Gruber was a key contributor for the host as he covered 117 yards on the ground on 18 carries. Gruber scored two rushing touchdowns and one with the aerial attack. 'Waska outdid the Tigers with the ground game, amassing 347 yards to the Tigers' 162. The 'Waska defense held the Tigers scoreless in the first half.
The lone orange and black score came in the third quarter: a one-yard run by Nathan Beyer. Eli Grove kicked the point-after. The rest of the game saw MACA languish in terms of seeking points while 'Waska scored in three of the four quarters. The Lakers poured it on with 21 points in the fourth quarter.
Gruber scored the first 'Waska TD of the night: he was off to the races with a 37-yard run. The PAT kick try failed. The first quarter ended with the score 6-0. The second quarter was scoreless. Each team scored a touchdown in the third quarter. Beyer had that one-yard run for MACA for six. Garrett Jensen scored on a five-yard run for Minnewaska. Jensen also ran for two on the conversion.
The Lakers really got some separation on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. Here we go: Gruber passed ten yards to Jaeger Jergenson for a score. Drew Nelson kicked the point-after. Gruber built the onslaught with a six-yard TD run, after which Nelson kicked the point-after. The game's final score came on a big play 51-yard run that had Laker Tyson Meyer clutching the football. Again Nelson kicked the point-after.

Turning to stats, Camden Arndt of the Tigers cooled down some from his recent norms, rushing for a still-decent 77 yards on 16 carries. Beyer churned forward for 65 yards on 14 carries. Other Tigers with rushing yards were Kyle Staebler (four yards), Joel Ruiz (3), Connor Koebernick (12) and Jack Riley (1). Once again the Tigers' passing game was minimal: Koebernick had one completion in five attempts for eight yards, and he had one interception. Parker Dierks had the reception. On defense, Gage Wevley had a fumble recovery.
Minnewaska's Gruber rumbled for 117 yards on 18 carries. Ryan Christianson was another force on the ground for the winner: 95 yards on 13 carries. Tyson Meyer charged forward for 53 yards on just two carries of the football. Garrett Jensen had 47 rushing yards on eleven carries. Jack Blevins' numbers were 21 yards on five carries. Jackson Johnsrud added four yards to the mix. Gruber handled the passing game and completed six passes in 14 attempts for 39 yards and no INTs. The pass-catchers were: Johnsrud (two catches, nine yards), Blevins (1-11), Christianson (one for negative yardage) and Jaeger Jergenson (2-29). Gruber was quite opportunistic on defense as he intercepted a pass and recovered two fumbles. John Helander recovered one fumble.
Should MACA try to cultivate more of a passing game? Inquiring minds want to know.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com