ML-WR Downs Pine City In Opener

Sep 3

Jake Kachinske-NSO

PINE
CITY – Moose Lake-Willow River got three touchdowns on the night from Austin Jacobson in rolling to a 40-18 high school football victory over Pine City Thursday night on the road. It was the season opener for both teams.

Pine City would score on their opening drive, marching down the field, ending on a Nate Wendorf quarterback keeper form one yard out. That followed the Rebels’ opening drive, which resulted in a three-and-out. However, Moose Lake-Willow River had a statement to make. Rebel head coach Dave Louzek settled his players down and it seemed to turn the game around. “I think that meeting after their opening drive on offense and our opening defensive stand was the turning point,” said Louzek. Three plays later, Moose Lake-Willow River was in the end zone on a Jacobson nine-yard run. An extra point put them up 7-6. Pine City missed the extra point on their first touchdown.

Moose Lake-Willow added two more scores in the second quarter to take a 20-6 halftime lead.

The first three drives of the third quarter were touchdown-scoring drives as Pine City tried to battle their way back. Wendorf went for the air to find Mike Schmidt for a 21-yard score at the 4:42 mark, and then Moose Lake-Willow River answered with a Michael Unzen three-yard TD run. It was then Pine City’s turn. Again, through the air the Dragons went when Adam Olson caught a 63-yard touchdown from Wendorf. After three quarters, it was 27-18, Rebels.

However, the road team had an air attack of their own. Rebel senior quarterback Hayden Hoffman found Austin Jacobson in the end zone from 29 yards out 2:06 into the fourth quarter to seal Pine City’s fate. Moose Lake-Willow River scored late on a Shane Rehbein 1-yard run to add to the cushion.

It was the 23-straight regular season wins for the Rebels and another opening season win over Pine City. The two teams have opened the season against each other for three consecutive years.

“After losing 20 starters from last year’s team, it was a test to see how the players would step up and who would step up. I expected good things, but I didn’t expect to score 40 points after the two defensive-type games we’ve had against these guys the last two years,” said Louzek.

Moose Lake-Willow River opens their home schedule next Friday against Rush City.