Barnum’s Mistakes Cost a Chance at Victory

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Sept 18

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

BARNUM – “We have been really good at forcing turnovers,” head coach Kevin Haley told Northland Sports Online Friday night before the game. “We have really put ourselves in great position in our first two games.” Well, on Friday it was Barnum who would turn the ball over six times, costing them a tie atop the Great Polar Alliance Red Conference standings.

Those six turnovers were costly as East Central turned two of them into 14 first-half points, causing them to latch onto the 17-6 win Friday night in Barnum. The Eagles scored on a the opening drive of the game after a kickoff return deep into Barnum territory. It was Jake Klocke’s 29 yard field goal that put the Eagles in front 3-0.

Barnum would then drive almost 60 yards deep into East Central territory, but then the first of five fumbles would occur and East Central would recover. Barnum recovered three of the five fumbles and would throw three intercepted passes in the game.

The Eagles scored two more times in the first half.
A 15 yard touchdown pass from Tyler Gaty to Kevin Klocke was made to put the East Central up 10-0 with 6:30 left in the first half. Then, yet another Barnum turnover would allow the Eagles to capitalize right before halftime as a fumbled ball was recovered in the end zone and the Eagles went into the half leading 17-0.

Barnum’s misfortunes continued in the second half when they fumbled the second half kickoff and the Eagles pounced on the loose ball. A great Barnum defensive stop inside their own 5-yard line would give them some momentum. They went on a 95 yard drive and scored their only touchdown of the game when Tyler Carlson sped on a five yard run. The two point pass conversion was no good, causing the game to end at 17-6.

Barnum’s defense did an outstanding job all night as they held the Eagles to 138 yards of total offense. Even thought, the Bombers would rack up 272 total yards, the miscues cost them in the end. Tyler Carlson finished with 128 yards rushing on 14 carries for the Bombers.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com