You might remember that the MACA Tigers defeated Minnewaska Area in the season opener. Pretty impressive score for the Tigers too: 46-27. But the Lakers showed they really had "chops" for playing competitive football at the end of the regular season. The regular season always ends on a Wednesday. So let's consider the winning score for those Lakers in their home game vs. Melrose. Pretty impressive: 56-14.
Now the post-season awaits for both those Lakers and our Tigers. The Tigers did not fare so well in their final regular season test. It was a loss to the Fergus Falls Otters at Fergus. The Lakers have lost only twice since the season opener. They shut out Montevideo 37-0. 'Waska is 5-3 in overall W/L, 3-1 in section, 5-2 in conference, 2-2 away from home and 3-1 at their friendly home venue.
'Waska owned the first quarter vs. Melrose with a 14-0 advantage. The first score was by Riley Dell on a run from the four. Zach Guggisberg kicked the PAT. Then it was Levi Johnson scoring for the home team: a run from the one. Guggisberg again nailed the PAT.
The teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter. First it was 'Waska striking again as Asante Adams had a big run of 50 yards. Melrose got on the board with a big run of their own, as Riley Elfering raced 31 yards.
The third quarter was huge for the Lakers. Fans were inspired to cheer loudly as their team scored 28 points! Adams began the deluge of scoring with an 18-yard run. Guggisberg drove the ball through the uprights. Then it was Dell adding six with his run from the nine. The PAT kick: good. Miles Wildman broke loose for a 28-yard scoring scamper. The PAT kick: good.
Kaiden Harvey of the Lakers gained possession of a fumble and converted this into a TD: a return of 34 yards. Guggisberg's toe was true.
Melrose's Jackson Mayers ran ten yards for a score. The Dutchmen went for two on the conversion and it was good: Mayers passing the ball to Samuel Wehlage.
Minnewaska polished things off with a crowd-pleasing 61-yard run that had Austyn Schuler clutching the football. Evan Armstrong ran for two on the conversion.
A look at the numbers shows the winning 'Waska crew with 13 first downs. The rushing yards were spread out very nicely to showcase balance. Adams got lots of mileage out of his eight carries: 96 yards. Schuler got boffo mileage on his one carry: 61 yards! Dell charged forward 13 times for 79 yards. Kearri Dickens had seven carries for 39 yards. Miles Wildman's numbers: 2-32. Levi Johnson contributed with 3-17. Other rushing yards came from Carter Meyer, Caleb Kath and Evan Armstrong.
The 'Waska ground attack in total was 345 yards. The ground game was premier in 'Waska's offensive efforts. No pass attempts!
Wildman and Joshua Hippe each had an interception. Dickens and Kaiden Harvey each had a fumble recovery. 'Waska had a team quarterback sack.
Melrose's top ballcarrier was Riley Elfering with 36 yards on seven carries. Jackson Mayers completed two passes in five attempts with one interception for 17 yards. Elfering tried his hand at passing but did not complete a pass. Hudson Bitz had a reception for 15 yards. Melrose had three team quarterback sacks.
Bring on the playoffs!
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| Berlynn Green |
On the volleyball court the Minnewaska Area Laker cause is coming on very strong. How about the W/L record of 18-8? They're 11-3 in conference. Their last standard dual was on Oct. 15 and it had the struggling Benson Braves as the opponent at Benson.
Benson has been getting swept a lot. Well, that's just what happened to them at the hands of the Lakers. So 'Waska took care of business 25-11, 25-15 and 25-13.
Haillie Schulz was on the attack with serve aces as she sent four over the net. Berlynn Green had three aces and Dacia Fleury two. Schulz was the go-to setter and got 29 assists. Fleury had two and Eliana Marthaler 1.
Fleury was on top of her hitting form as she often is. On this night she got 13 kills at the Benson court. Marthaler and Avery Lewison each had four kills. Then we see Emma Hellermann with three followed by four of her mates each with two: Green, Schulz, Addyson Kath and Mya VanLuik. Taylor Schulz performed one kill.
For Benson, Sovia Schwiderski had two serving aces. Julia Claussen contributed 12 set assists for the Braves. Yes they're still the "Braves."
Carly Tolifson and Jada O'Leary each had three kills. Kaida Helgenset, Madison Osterbauer and Lexi Hoberg each had an ace block. Sophie Krusemark supplied ten digs.
Bump, set, spike, into the post-season!
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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