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  Sterling 50 Concordia 14

 

     The Sterling Jets took on the Concordia Mustangs in football action this past Friday. The Jet defense was the story of the night recording 7 sacks and forcing 4 turnovers in the homecoming victory.

     The Jets opened the scoring early in the 1st quarter on a 28 yard run by Michael Lucas. The PAT was converted on a pass from Chris Wenzl to Kody Benson. Benson scored 6 points on his next touch taking one in from 3 yards out. A Wenzl to Ceaton Malone hookup scored the PAT. The Jets final score of the quarter came via the special teams on a 54 yard punt return by Trey Trauernicht. Levi McCartney ran in the PAT. The score stood at 24-0 after one quarter of play.

     Opening up the 2nd quarter scoring for the Jets was Archie Keebler when he took one in from 2 yards out. The PAT pass fell incomplete. The next Jet score came from the air on a 12 yard pass from Wenzl to Benson. A Wenzl to Malone hookup converted the PAT. The Jets next drive also led to points coming from McCartney on a 12 yard run. The PAT pass was unsuccessful. The Mustangs got into the scoring column next on a 49 yard pass from Matt Kunneman to Jack Noel. The PAT pass from Kunneman to Reid Latimer was successful. The Jets finished off the quarter scoring on a 5 yard run by McCartney. The PAT pass failed. The Jets took a 50-8 lead into the halftime break.

      Defense dominated the 2nd half as both teams struggled with turnovers. The Mustangs did find paydirt one time during the 3rd quarter on a 1 yard run by Austin Bush. The PAT run failed. That turned out to be the final score of the night with the Jets coming out on top with a 50-14 victory.

     McCartney led the Jet rushing attack with 79 yards on 13 carries. Jet rushers help him out were Lucas 39 yards on 4 carries, Trauernicht 36 yards on 10 carries, Rhet Dirks 21 yards on 5 carries, Wenzl 12 yards on 4 carries, Dennis Logston 8 yards on 1 carry, Benson 3 yards on 1 carry, Keebler 2 yards on 1 carry, Bailey Bessey 2 yards on 3 carries, Jesse Phillips -1 yard on 1 carry, and Lukas Theisen -3 yards on 3 carries.

     Wenzl led the Jet passing attack with 2 completions on 4 attempts for 38 yards. Trevor Huls was 4 of 5 passing for 35 yards, Lucas was 1 of 1 passing for 32 yards, and Phillips was 0 of 1 passing.

     Malone was the leading Jet receiver on the night with 4 catches for 35 yards, Benson had 2 catches for 44 yards, and McCartney had 1 catch for 26 yards.

     On the defensive side of the ball, the Jets were led by McCartney with 3 tackles and 3 assists. Jet defenders helping out were Malone 3 tackles, 2 assists, Benson 3 tackles, 2 assists, 3 quarterback sacks, and 1 fumble recovery,  Kale Heusman 3 tackles, 2 assists, and 1 quarterback sack, Trauernicht3 tackles, 2 assists, Wenzl 3 tackles, 1 assist, and 1 interception, Dalton Clark 2 tackles, 3 assists, and 2 quarterback sacks, Lucas 2 tackles, 1 quarterback sack, and 2 fumble recoveries, Keebler 1 tackle, 1 assist, Richard Frerichs-Shea 1 tackle, and Tanner Weir 1 tackle.

     "Our defense came out ready from the start and never let them get going. As bad as we played last week, our kids really stepped up to the plate and answered the challenge this week. We held them to -23 rushing yards, and whenever you do that, you more than likely will be ahead at the end of the game."

     "We didn't do anything outstanding on the offensive side of the ball, but we were able to capitalize on some short fields our defense gave us. We have been putting the ball on the ground way too much lately, and we need to clean that area up before next week." 

     "We head down to Falls City and take on a 5-0 Sacred Heart team this week. We must play mistake free football and put together a complete game in order to come away with a victory this coming Friday."

     Sterling next game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7th vs. Falls City Sacred Heart at Falls City. Game time is set for 7:00 pm.