Gruber to O'Neil for 71 and the Minnewaska win

What a thrilling end to the Minnewaska Area football game on Friday. It was an away game for the hot-and-cold Lakers. The Lakers had a most rousing start to the season with their high-scoring win over Morris. But after that they fell down a notch or two to suffer two setbacks. Then, another reversal. Those Lakers needed a really super fourth quarter. And boy the Lakers delivered. They scored 19 points in the fourth to defeat Melrose by a margin of one point. The score was 26-25 at Omer Sieben Field in Melrose.  

The final touchdown was quite dramatic. It featured the arm of Marc Gruber and the pass-catching skill of Tristan O'Neil. The two worked their magic on a 71-yard touchdown pass with 1:47 remaining. 

The Lakers and Dutchmen both came out of the night at 2-2. 

The big touchdown pass sure built up Gruber's yards-per-completion number. Take a look at these numbers: 4-for-10, 154 yards, no interceptions. And O'Neil was on the catching end three times for 125 yards. Miles Wildman had the other 'Waska reception good for 29 yards. 

Wildman carried the football seven times for 35 yards. The major ballcarriers were Asante Adams (15 carries, 145 yards) and Kearri Dickens (17-91). Wildman added an INT on defense. 

The Dutchmen made a real bid to take over this game. They put up the first three scores and led at halftime 19-0. 'Waska began fighting back as Adams reached the end zone from the four. Jayda Kolstoe kicked for the PAT. But it was Melrose that scored next: Brecken Elfering passed 31 yards to Samuel Stangler.  

Adams went to work again for 'Waska, this time big play-style with a 59-yard run for six. Kolstoe kicked for the PAT. the momentum began sliding into 'Waska's corner. So on came the Lakers: a three-yard TD run by Dickens. The conversion failed this time. The stage was set for the dramatic and game-winning 71-yard TD strike from Gruber to O'Neil. 

'Waska fans won't soon forget this game. Their team had 17 first downs on the night, one more than Melrose. 

Melrose's Elfering had eight pass completions in 19 attempts for 146 yards, one interception. The top ballcarrier was Samuel Stangler with 83 yards on 17 carries. Elfering's favorite target was James Rieland who had four catches for 85 yards.

 

Haillie Schulz, setter

Volleyball success too

The Lakers of the volleyball world surged to 8-0 with a sweep win over West Central Area Thursday at home. They improved to 6-0 in conference. Scores against WCA were 25-17, 25-14 and 25-22. 

Taylor Schulz paced the Lakers in kills with 11. She was followed by Mya VanLuik 8, Berlynn Green 7, Emma Hellermann 5, Avery Lewison 3 and Haillie Schulz 2. Let's take a look at the ace blocks department: Haillie Schulz 2, Hellermann 1, Lewison 1/2, VanLuik 1/2. 

Berlynn Green stood out in ace serves with four. Brooklyn Noyes had two ace serves and these Lakers had one each: Emma Hellermann, Emma Poegel and Piper Barsness. Haillie Schulz was the go-to setter with her 27 assists. Also contributing were Green 3, Poegel 3 Noyes 1 and Barsness 1. 

Three Lakers each had nine digs: Green, Poegel and Haillie Schulz. Eliana Marthaler had eight followed by Lewison and Barsness each with six.

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com