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| Aaron Nelson (#9) is a junior defensive end. (B.W. photos) |
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| Gage Backman (#51), junior linebacker, makes direct contact. |
I generally never arrive at a Tiger home game until halftime. On Friday, 9/14, this meant I was deprived of seeing an onslaught by the MACA offense vs. Sauk Centre.
Usually when I hear "Sauk Centre" I envision a pretty competitive team. Morris played them often when I was in high school. I had no reason to expect the Streeters would be virtually manhandled by the Tigers.
The scoreboard was no prank at halftime; it revealed the Tigers up 34-0. Wow! It was win No. 3 on the season in as many games. Opponents down the road are naturally going to be scouting us hard to see how we might be attacked. If there are any chinks in the Tigers' armor, I don't see them.
The Streeters were without fullback Roosevelt Austin who was injured the previous week. The knee injury sidelines him for the season. He's a frequent scorer. I'm not sure how much his presence would have helped Friday.
This game was originally scheduled for the Sauk Centre field. It was moved here apparently because of issues with that Sauk field. We'll happily take an extra home game for our Big Cat Stadium.
Because MACA was originally slated as the road team, we wore our white visitors uniforms. Because I'm a photographer, I was elated to see this and would encourage AD Mark Ekren to give the nod for white anytime!
This game had important conference and section ramifications.
The Tigers took charge from the get-go and seem now to be infused with the maximum momentum. It's almost sad how one-sided this game was. Sauk Centre has a senior quarterback with a rangy physique - he's 6'2" - but this was no attribute for them. The Tigers owned this game, winning 41-8.
The hefty point total was built with just one completed pass. Quarterback Jacob Torgerson completed that pass for a touchdown (to Tanner Picht).
The first sign that MACA was going to own this game was a 64-yard punt return by Chandler Erickson to the Sauk 23. Tom Holland then carried for six yards. Torgerson sneaked to the three, after which Holland polished things off, running the ball into the end zone standing up.
Can the Tigers develop a kicking game? Noah Grove tested his toe for the point-after and he succeeded! A reliable kicking toe could prove to be a big additional asset for the orange and black crew.
The Streeters had a three-and-out. Erickson caught the punt but couldn't break away this time. The Tigers took over at midfield and wasted no time advancing. Picht broke loose for 36 yards, springing into the secondary and reaching the 18 yard line. Holland ran for two yards, then Connor Metzger got the pigskin to the ten. A false start penalty interrupted the momentum. But MACA overcame that and more as Torgerson found Picht for that 14-yard touchdown pass. This time the PAT kick try went wide.
The Tigers' third touchdown came on a four-yard carry by Picht. The conversion kick try was off again.
Holland took over to score the Tigers' fourth touchdown with a run from the five. Holland also carried successfully on the conversion.
Touchdown No. 5 came in quick-strike fashion as Nick Vipond recovered a fumble and was off to the races, covering 45 yards to the end zone. Grove drove the ball between the uprights on the conversion.
Grove kicked successfully again after the Tigers' final TD of the evening. This TD was scored by Picht on a run from the 18. What a night of offensive highlights for coach Witt's crew.
Sauk Centre scored late with Trent Berscheit carrying the ball in from the 28. Patrick Knoblauch ran for two on the conversion.
Please click on the permalink below to read about the MACA volleyball Tigers' 3-0 win over Paynesville Tuesday (9/11). This post is on my companion website, "Morris of Course." Also included are some paragraphs about Tiger cross country and tennis. Thanks for reading. - B.W.
Football: the numbers
The Tigers rushed for 353 yards Friday. Holland had a 100-yard rushing night on his eleven carries (actually 101 yards). Quarterback Torgerson ran for 50. Picht's output was 88 yards in nine carries. Jordan Staples bulled forward for 49 yards in six carries. Metzger had 26 yards in three carries, and Arron Nelson contributed 17 yards in four carries.
Trent Wulf punted once for 31 yards. Erickson had a pass interception. Vipond had that thrilling fumble recovery.
Quarterback sacks were achieved by Vipond, Dillan Johnson and Tyler Henrichs. Metzger tallied two solo tackles and eight assists. Staples had 3-4 stats in these categories, and Vipond 2-2.
Knoblauch did Sauk Centre's passing and he had 14 completions in 27 attempts for 110 yards and one interception. Josh Buschette had ten receptions for 76 yards.
Viva Morris Area Chokio Alberta football for 2012!
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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