MCC TAKES THE WIN AGAINST MINNESOTA VALLEY LUTHERAN

The MCC Rebels entered week 7 of the high school football season with a lot on the line. The Rebels were looking for a win to guarantee an above .500 record for the season and to take another step closer to securing an extra home game in the first round of the playoffs. Standing in the Rebels way was the 5-2 Minnesota Valley Lutheran Chargers. This game was played in stages, a crazy first quarter followed by a defense dominated three quarters but in the end the Rebels would get the win they needed.

The first quarter was not like any other quarter in this game with four touchdowns being scored the final three quarters would feature one scoring play. The Chargers would start quickly led by their senior quarterback Cole Thompson. Thompson would throw the ball well in the first half throwing passes to Kyler Flunker, Bradyn Kube, and Will Kaesermann. Though Thompson was getting yards through the air the points came on his legs. Thompson would score the first points of the game on a two yard touchdown run and then a pass to Kaesermann picked up the two point conversion to make the score 8-0 with 9:31 to play. He would score another touchdown on a six yard run with 7:26 to play but the two point conversion failed. The Chargers were red hot leading 14-0 after just five minutes. The Rebels would need an answer and they would get that. The Rebels would get the ball back after falling behind by two possessions and they would drive down the field. The Rebels found some space in the running game with Ross Engelkes and Abe Paulzine. The Rebels would score their first touchdown on Ross Engelkes’s two yard run and the two point conversion came through the air from Paulzine to Tentinger to make the score 14-8. The Rebels would get the ball back on a very short punt by Cole Thompson and MCC would strike quickly on a 38 yard pass play to Jaden Deacon with one second left in the quarter. The Rebels would not score the two point conversion making the score 14-14.

The game would take a drastic change late in the second quarter. WIth both teams failing to score the Rebels pinned the Chargers inside the ten yard line with under two minutes to play in the half. Thompson would break off a big run down the Charger sideline. Thompson looked like he might score a touchdown but Carter Benda would not give up on the play and would tackle Thompson after a 77 yard run. Two plays later Thompson would fumble a shotgun snap and would be injured on the recovery. Dylan Doeden was able to recover the fumble giving MCC the ball back. The fumble would be the final play of the day for Thompson who was forced to leave the game.

With the game tied at 14-14 heading into the second half the Rebels were needing a spark because even though the Rebels were moving the ball they were not able to score on offense. The spark came with points from the defense. With 7:07 to play in the third quarter Tanner Graphenteen would intercept a pass and would pick up a couple of blockers as he returned the interception all the way for a touchdown. The two point conversion was a pass from Christian Tentinger to Abe Paulzine to make the score 2214. The final quarter and a half was played without a score. Both teams’ defenses played well and though the offenses showed glimpses the defenses ruled the day. MCC would win the game 22-14.

The game came down to one big play by the Rebels in the second half and the stats showed how close the game was. MVL out gained the Rebels by 10 yards but MCC had ten more minutes in time of possession which helped them in the final five minutes of the game. The Rebels outgained the Chargers on the ground 167 to 140 but when one considers that the Chargers had a 77 yard run that didn’t result in any points MCC had a huge advantage in that area. Ross Engelkes led the Rebels with 74 yards rushing while Abe Paulzine ran for over 50 yards but also threw for 95 yards. The Rebels wrap up the season Wednesday at Adrian in a big rivalry matchup.