Sterling Jets vs. Wynot
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Wynot 50 Sterling 26
The Sterling Jets made the trek up north to take on the Wynot Blue Devils in 1st round playoff action this past Wednesday. The Blue Devils capitalized on 3 Jet turnovers and advanced to the quarterfinal round with the victory.
The Blue Devils got the scoring started when Jackson Sudbeck called his own number from 36 yards out. A Sudbeck to Tristan Wiesler pass converted the PAT. After a Jet turnover, Sudbeck hooked up with Brady Stratman from one yard for the next Blue Devil score. The PAT pass was unsuccessful.
The Jets took their next possession in for a score when Chris Wenzl found Kody Benson open from 8 yards out. Wenzl found Trey Trauernicht open for the PAT. The Blue Devils regained the momentum right back when Stratman took the ensuing kickoff to the house from 74 yards out. J. Sudbeck found Dawson Sudbeck open to convert the PAT. The score stood at 22-8 after one quarter of play.
The Blue Devils kept their foot on the gas in the 2nd quarter when Stratman ran one in from 6 yards out. The PAT run was stopped short. The Jets hung tough with Wenzl and Benson hooking up again for a score this time from 17 yards out. The PAT run was unsuccessful. Sudbeck went to the air to close out the 2nd quarter scoring for the Blue Devils finding Austin Lange open from 8 yards out. The Sudbeck's (Jackson & Dawson) converted the PAT. The score was 36-14 heading into the halftime break.
The Jets closed the gap early in the 3rd quarter with Wenzl taking one in from 9 yards out. The PAT run was stopped short. Sudbeck answered back with his 3rd touchdown pass of the game finding Davis Wieseler open from 56 yards out. Sudbeck found T. Wieseler open to convert the PAT. The score now stood at 44-20 going into the final quarter.
The Blue Devils extended their lead early in the 4th quarter on a 7 yard run by Stratman. The PAT pass fell incomplete. The Jets closed out the scoring with Trauernicht powering one in from 2 yards out. The PAT run was stopped short. The final tally stood at Wynot 50, Sterling 26.
Wenzl was the leading rusher for the game with 174 yards on 30 carries. Trauernicht added 81 yards on 24 carries, Rhet Dirks rushed for 37 yards on 10 carries, Benson added 7 yards on 1 carry, Jon Cox added 3 yards on 1 carry, and Jesse Phillips rushed for -2 yards on 1 carry.
Wenzl was 3 or 5 passing for 36 yards and Dirks was 2 of 7 passing for 13 yards. Benson had 3 catches for 36 yards and Wenzl had 2 catches for 13 yards.
Thomas Tucker led the Jets defensive effort with 4 tackles and 3 assists. Jet defenders helping out were as follows; C. Wenzl 3 tackles, 5 assists, Matt Wirthele 3 tackles, 4 assists, Kale Heusman 2 tackles, 6 assists, Trauernicht 2 tackles, 3 assists, Dirks 2 tackles, 3 assists, Phillips 2 tackles, 2 assists, Benson 1 tackle, 1 assist, Derek Julian 1 tackle, Cox 1 tackle, Jordan Wenzl 1 assist, and Austin Walters 1 assist.
"The story of the ballgame turned out to be turnovers and they were able to force more of them than we were. We fumbled on our first offensive play and it was an uphill battle from then on. We were able to move the ball on offense, but weren't able to get the crucial stops when we needed them. They are one of the better teams we've seen this year and they will be a tough out for somebody during these playoffs."
"This turned out to be the final game for our 8 seniors (Trey Trauernicht, Chris Wenzl, Bailey Bessey, Matt Wirthele, Kale Heusman, Jesse Phillips, Derek Julian, and Kody Benson). These gentlemen have meant a lot to our program over these last 4 years and they will certainly be missed next year. We wish them the best of luck in the future and thank them for all they have done for the Jet program."