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Sterling 58 Lewiston 32

 

      The Sterling Jets took on the Lewiston Tigers this past Friday in the regular season finale for both teams. Sterling's Michael Lucas led a big Jet comeback and accounted for 6 total touchdowns in the Jets come from behind victory.

     The Tigers got the lone score of the opening quarter on a 2 yard run by Alex Nouzovsky. The PAT run was stopped short. The Tigers kept the momentum going into the 2nd quarter when Nouzovsky found Hayden Albers open from 6 yards out for 6 points. The Nouzovsky to Albers combination added the PAT. Nouzovsky called his own number for the next Tiger score on a 22 yard run. The PAT pass failed.

     The Jets finally got into the scoring column when Lucas hooked up with Kody Benson from 23 yards out for a touchdown. The same Lucas to Benson tandem converted the PAT. The Jets Trey Trauernicht busted loose on the next Jet possession from 39 yards to add to their point total. The PAT pass fell incomplete. The Tigers answered back with another Nouzovsky to Albers hookup this one covering 50 yards for a touchdown. The PAT pass was unsuccessful. The Jets capped a high scoring quarter on a one yard touchdown run by Lucas, aided by a 43 yard kickoff return by Archie Keebler. A Lucas to Trauernicht pass added the PAT. The Tigers took a 26-22 lead into halftime.

     The Jets took the lead early in the 3rd quarter on a 59 pass from Lucas to Keebler. The PAT run was stopped short. Lucas called his own number on the next Jet drive and scored from 12 yards out. Lucas found Trauernicht open to convert the PAT. Lucas added to the Jet point total from the defensive side of the ball with a pick six from 39 yards out. The Lucas to Trauernicht tandem added their 3rd PAT of the ballgame. The Jets took a 44-26 lead into the final quarter of play.

      The Jets continued their offensive explosion into the 4th quarter with Trauernicht finding pay dirt from 32 yards out. The PAT pass was incomplete. Lucas capped off his huge night taking one in from 14 yards out for the Jets final score of the night. The PAT was converted on a Lucas to Benson pass. The Tigers finished off the scoring for the night on a 12 yard pass from Connor Barr to Grant Tuttle. The PAT pass failed. The final score was Sterling 58 Lewiston 32.

     Trauernicht led all rushers for the night with 118 yards on 17 carries. Lucas added 98 yards on 17 carries, Levi McCartney added 9 yards on 2 carries, and Benson added 9 yards on 1 carry.

     Lucas was 3 of 6 passing for 90 yards. Keebler had one reception for 59 yards, Benson had one reception for 23 yards, and McCartney had one reception for 8 yards.

     Lucas led the Jets defensive effort with 7 tackles, 1 assist, and 2 interceptions. Jet defenders helping out were Dalton Clark 5 tackles, 6 assists, 1 quarterback sack, Ryan Zuhlke 4 tackles, 18 assists, Benson 3 tackles, 7 assists, Chris Wenzl 3 tackles, 2 assists, Matt Erickson 2 tackles, 7 assists, 1 quarterback sack, Keebler 2 tackles, 7 assists, McCartney 2 tackles, 4 assists, Trauernicht 1 tackle, 6 assists, Billy Richardson 1 tackle, 1 assist, Ceaton Malone 1 tackle, and Kale Heusman 5 assists.

     " Our kids had to respond to some early adversity, losing our quarterback Chris Wenzl to an injury on the first series of the game. Once we settled down, we were able to get some things accomplished on offense. We had some trouble with turnovers early, but once we took care of the ball, we were able to put some points on the board. Michael Lucas did an fine job of stepping in and taking control of the offense."

     " Our defense started slow as well, but we did a much better job in the 2nd half, limiting them to 6 points and just over 50 yards of total offense. We'll need this 2nd half effort on both sides of the ball in order to be successful on Thursday in our qualifying round game against Dodge."

     Sterling's next game is set for Thursday, Oct. 27th at home vs. Dodge. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 pm.