Proctors Big Win Features A 99-1/2 Yard Kickoff Return

Wes Vork-NSO

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Oct 17, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Proctor Rails captured the top seed in the Section 7AAA playoffs Wednesday night as the Rails pounded Virginia by a score of 46-20 to earn the top spot and a first round bye in the section playoffs which start next Tuesday night.

The Rails jumped out fast to 40-6 halftime lead as they went on to the 26 point win at Terry Egerdahl Field in Proctor. The Rails had six different players score touchdowns Wednesday and Jimmy Merling scored twice including a 99-1/2 yard kickoff return nicely before halftime for the Rails.

Jimmy Merling got the Rails on the scoreboard first Wednesday as he scored on a 7 yard touchdown run. Jack Nikko added the extra point and it was a Rails7-0 lead. Brody Nordquist connected with Shane Gould on a 19 yard touchdown pass and it was a 13-0 lead for the Rails. Nordquist scored the third touchdown of the first quarter on a 5 yard run and Proctor led 20-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Alex Greene put the Rails in front 26-0 on an 8 yard touchdown run and Nikko again added the extra point for a 27-0 lead. Nikko put his name in the touchdown column also when he scored on a 55 yard touchdown run to give the Rails a 34-0 lead. Virginia added their lone score in the first half on a Mitch Sella touchdown run to cut the lead to 34-6.

Jimmy Merling then scored his sure to be record setting return on the ensuing kickoff. Virginia was initially penalized on the kick for being offside so Merling moved up five yards to field the second kickoff. The Blue Devils kicker got all of the ball and the kickoff went over Merling’s head and rolled back inside the 1 yard line where Merling picked up the ball and turned it up field into the 99-1/2 yard touchdown kickoff return. Merling’s run gave the Rails the 40-6 lead at halftime.

Travis Carlson became the sixth Rail to score Wednesday as he scampered in on an 11 yard touchdown run which was the Rails final score of the game. The score put Proctor in front 46-6. Virginia added two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late as Proctor picks up its seventh consecutive win on the season.

At halftime Proctor Activities Director Rory Johnson presented Dave Hylla’s daughter with the plaque awarded Hylla when he was inducted into the Minnesota coaches Hall of Fame.

The Rails move to 7-1 and they will have a bye in the first round of the Section 7AAA playoffs. They will host the winner of International Falls and Virginia, who will meet Tuesday night in International Falls.

The Blue Devils fall to 1-6 overall on the season and they will travel to International Falls on Tuesday night to take on the Broncos in the opening round of the Section 7AAA playoffs. The Blue Devils lone victory this season came against the Broncos.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com