Area News | Home | Marketplace | Community

Return to Sports Archives


Paynesville Press - September 8, 2004

Holdingford beats Bulldogs in gridiron opener

By Michael Jacobson

Four first-half turnovers led Holdingford to building a 26-0 lead and beating the Bulldogs in their football opener on Friday 33-13.

After falling behind, the Dogs scored on both their possessions in the third quarter, cutting the Huskers' lead to 26-13, but Holding-ford added a fifth touchdown in the fourth quarter on a flanker pass during a reverse to win 33-13.

Holdingford - a state-rated team last year who beat the Dogs 30-14 in the first round of the section playoffs - scored on their first play from scrimmage on a 43-yard pass after the Dogs turned the ball over on downs on their opening drive.

The Dogs drove into Holdingford territory again on their second possession, thanks to a 59-yard run by senior Mike Mueller, but turned the ball over on downs again. Holdingford fumbled after gaining 30 yards, but the Dogs fumbled the ball back to the Huskers on the next play, leading to another touchdown pass by Holdingford.

The Dogs fumbled twice more and threw an interception in the second quarter, as Holdingford scored two more touchdowns and built a 26-0 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Dogs scored on both of their possessions, first driving 77 yards in nine plays and then driving 50 yards in nine plays to score two touchdowns. Sophomore Randy Leyendecker capped the first drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, and sophomore Matt Hansen ran six yards for the second touchdown.

Trailing 26-13, the Dogs forced Holdingford to punt but turned the ball over on downs again near midfield. On fourth down, the Huskers scored on a 26-yard flanker pass during a reverse to end the scoring. Paynesville threw another interception on their last possession and Holdingford ran out the clock.

Holdingford outgained the Dogs 337 to 238 yards. The Dogs out-rushed Holdingford 193 to 177 but yielded 160 passing yards and four touchdown passes. Paynesville committed five turnovers while forcing only one.

Paynesville (0-1) will host New London-Spicer on Friday in their home opener, starting at 7 p.m.

Paynesville--0 0 130-- 13
Holdingford--13 13 07 -- 33

Scoring Summary
First Quarter
Hol-Aaron Bernstetter 43 pass from Chris Warzecha (kick failed);
Hol-Bernstetter 26 pass from Warzecha (Tyler Bolkers kick);
Second Quarter
Hol-Joe Czech 3 run (Bolkers kick);
Hol-Mike Schmidt 15 pass from Warzecha (kick failed);
Third Quarter
Pay-Randy Leyendecker 14 run (Justin Butkofski kick);
Pay-Matt Hansen 6 run (kick failed);
Fourth Quarter
Hol-Schmidt 26 pass from Bernstetter (Bolkers kick).

Individual Statistics
Rushing (attempts-yards-TDs): Randy Leyendecker 20-87-1; Mike Mueller 8-77; Matt Hansen 9-33-1; Jamie Paul 6-(-10); Alex Naujokas 2-6;
Passing (completions-attempts-yards-INTs): Paul 4-11-45-2;
Receiving (receptions-yards-TDs): Hansen 3-33; Mueller 1-12;
Kickoffs: Justin Butkofski 3-151;
Kickoff returns: Naujokas 1-33; Hansen 2-31; Eric Hansen 1-5;
Punts: Butkofski 1-42;
Punt returns: Naujokas 2-25.



Contact the author at editor@paynesvillepress.com   •   Return to Sports

Home | Marketplace | Community