Quarterback Jake Torgerson runs for two to make the score 14-14. The Tiger at left is Tom Holland. (B.W. photo)What a joy the new high school season is upon us. There was a substantial fan turnout for the MACA Tigers' home football opener Friday. The weather could not have been better.
This is the first year for the "MACA" initials to be in effect for Tiger football. The history of the CAHN Spartans is now completed.
The Tigers put up a very strong battle vs. the New London-Spicer Wildcats. The "Big Cat" name for our stadium could not have been more fitting.
The Tigers and Wildcats fought to a stalemate in regulation. They took the field again for an OT extension. Alas it was the Wildcats who enjoyed just enough of a burst to get the win. They did this with a field goal - not seen too often in high school football.
The Wildcats went home the 23-20 winner. The Tigers came out of the night at 1-1, having beaten Minnewaska the week before.
Next for MACA: a road game against the ACGC Falcons Friday (9/16) at 7 p.m.
Next for MACA: a road game against the ACGC Falcons Friday (9/16) at 7 p.m.
The first half was upbeat for the visiting Wildcat crew as it assumed a 14-6 lead. First there was a 35-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Tobkin to Mitch Ejnik. Tobkin kicked the PAT.
The Tigers answered with a pass of similar length; it had Jake Torgerson throwing and Logan Manska catching. It covered 31 yards and was followed by an unsuccessful PAT kick.
The Wildcats led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter. They accomplished the only scoring of the second quarter. Tobkin scored from the one and also kicked the PAT. The halftime break arrived with MACA seeking to find a little extra offensive spark.
The third quarter was scoreless. Then came a wild fourth quarter in which MACA outscored NL-S 14-6. Tim Ostby carried the football into the end zone from the five. Quarterback Jake Torgerson ran for two points on the conversion.
The Wildcats jabbed back with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Tobkin to Ejnik. This time the PAT kick try was no good, which could have been critical to the Wildcats' fortunes.
The Tigers surged back, bringing a wave of cheers when Ostby plunged into the end zone from the one, capping a sustained 74-yard drive (nine plays). But the conversion try went awry on a mishandled snap from center.
So the four quarters ended with the teams in a 20-all deadlock.
So the four quarters ended with the teams in a 20-all deadlock.
Overtime! It was Morris Area Chokio Alberta having possession of the ball first. But the air was suddenly taken from the Tigers' sails with an interception. Adam Essler performed the INT for the visitor on a fourth down play.
The Wildcats reached the MACA seven yard line on the ensuing possession, whereupon decision time arrived. Try a field goal? That decision got the thumbs-up, and it was marquee player Tobkin who did the kicking.
The refs signaled "good" to put the NL-S fan turnout into a frenzy of celebration. It had been a long night but well worth their trip here.
For the Tiger fans, they can hope their team climbs back over .500 Friday at ACGC.
Coach Jerry Witt's Tigers had 16 first downs. Ostby was the go-to guy carrying the football; he had 25 carries for 64 yards. Quarterback Torgerson had 24 rushing yards on 12 carries. Mac Beyer and Tom Holland rushed for minimal yardage.
Torgerson completed 13 passes in 29 attempts for 193 yards and had one aerial picked off. The pass-catching was spread around. Torgerson's targets were Manska (three catches, 49 yards), Chandler Erickson (2-38), Ostby (4-49) and Holland (4-57).
Mac Beyer intercepted a pass and also had a fumble recovery. Tanner Picht did the punting. Connor Metzger had a quarterback sack. The tackle chart leaders were Beyer, Picht, Metzger and Daniel Nelson.
Wildcat Ronnie Johnson got over the 100-yard rushing plateau on his 27 carries. Tobkin was efficient passing, completing nine of 15 for 142 yards with one INT.
The Wildcats had 13 first downs.
The Wildcats had 13 first downs.
Commentary:
Given the backdrop of terrific weather, it would have been nice seeing the Morris Area pep band at work. Do other fans agree with me on this? Or is the band an afterthought now?
Are budget issues in play here? Maybe a business could "sponsor" the MAHS pep band. When I was in high school, the school was just expected to do these things.
I noticed Friday that New London-Spicer had a full cheerleading contingent here - yes, traditional cheerleaders, in uniform and in various formations. Morris Area does not have cheerleaders. Is this a void that should be looked at?
We are so blessed to have a state of the art stadium. Maybe we should maintain other assets like the band and cheerleaders. Or am I just showing I'm an old fuddy-duddy?
Oh, and I miss the P.A. announcer of last year who applied his own flourish with: "That's another Tiger FIRST. . .down." It would get mimicked along the visiting team sideline. Maybe we've decided that announcer idiosyncrasies are a no-no.
Whatever, it's still a beautiful venue and the enthusiasm seems high. The real test will come when the more harsh fall weather sets in. Or, the Siberia-like weather we saw for last year's playoff game against Benson. I'll never forget that.
There was a post-game promotion Friday: a gathering at DeToy's Restaurant. My waitress there Saturday morning said the turnout wasn't quite as good as had been hoped for. Did the losing outcome dampen spirits? Hopefully that doesn't get in the way, and I hope this is done with future home games.
I didn't attend the post-game Friday but I will in the future. DeToy's is the most congenial all-around eating establishment in Morris (no alcohol served). Kudos to Boe DeToy for this post-game promotion.
Click on the link below to read about the Tigers' opening-game win at Minnewaska Area:
Click on the link below to reach the MACA football schedule page on Pheasant Country Sports:
Curtain rises for volleyball
The MACA volleyball Tigers found victory elusive through their first three matches.
The curtain rose with a road challenge against the Jaguars of BBE on Tuesday, Aug. 30. It was a 1-3 setback for Morris Area Chokio Alberta.
Then came home opener night. The fans were happy to get back to our spacious Morris Area gym for the new school year. The outcome was 0-3 but the Tigers were more competitive than those numbers suggest. The scores in games 1 and 3 were 24-26 and 23-25, respectively.
One little turnaround and the match complexion could have been much different. The Tigers were fairly competitive in the middle game too. They dropped that one 19-25, as it was hard to keep pace with the quality front line the Thunder Hawks presented.
The T-Hawks showed command with their hitting much of the time. The Tigers succumbed to kills by Kendyl Anderson, Dani Emkes, Olivia Bisel, Nettie Duvall and Ashley Hoehne.
The Monte attack was well-greased by setter Kelsey Amborn.
Terianne Itzen of the Tigers pounded down ten kills and Sydney Engebretson had eight. Nicole Strobel served for three aces and Itzen two. Strobel and Itzen each had three ace blocks while Engebretson and Jaime Bergerson each had two.
The most proficient diggers were Courtney Ehleringer and Itzen. The busiest setters were Katie Holzheimer and Itzen.
On to Thursday (9/8): The MACA girls were back on the road, this time matched against conference rival Benson.
Each team had a win after two games. After that the Braves seized just enough momentum to win. Here's a review of the scores with the MACA numbers first: 19-25, 25-22, 19-25 and 23-25. We narrowly missed the full five-game match.
Itzen showed focus at the net and accumulated 16 kills. Bergerson came through with ten.
Holzheimer and Itzen scurried to and fro setting up the spikers. Itzen had two ace blocks followed by Bergerson and Engebretson each with one. The digs category saw Holzheimer, Itzen and Ehleringer stand out with their numbers.
In serving, Holzheimer and Engebretson each had two aces.
Emma Peterson of the Braves was a force helping turn back the Tigers. Peterson's 14 kills and ten ace serves were a big ingredient in Benson's second win of the season (against one loss). Brave Samantha Goff was a force at the net too.
In tennis: defeat vs. Benson-KMS
Krista Matthews-Saugstad carried the first singles banner for MACA in winning fashion Thursday. None of her Tiger mates could fare as well, though, as this dual went into the books as a 1-6 defeat.
Matthews-Saugstad defeated Susan Zniewski 6-4 and 6-2.
Megan Wagner vied at second singles and she came out on the short end against Bridgett Auch 2-6 and 1-6. Renae Mullins fell to Kelly Saunders at #3 singles, 0-6 and 2-6.
Kjersa Anderson fell to Maggie Buyck in the #4 singles spot, 3-6 and 1-6.
The Tiger first doubles team of Darcy Aronson and Carly Gullickson was bested by the Brave duo of Kelsey Hammerschmidt and Hannah Ricard 2-6 and 1-6.
Shelby Marthaler and Marlee Morton teamed at second doubles and they came out on the short end vs. Megan Vergin and Kendra Dingmann, 4-6 and 6-7 (5-7).
At #3 doubles the Tiger pair was Kaitlin Vogel and Emily Moser and they were bested by Kelsey Rajewsky and Gretchen Pederson, 1-6 and 1-6.
- Brian Williams - morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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