New Bremen runs past Rockets
ANNA — New Bremen went on the road Friday night and beat the defending Division VI state champion Anna Rockets, 38-7.
Friday night’s win marked the Cardinals first victory over Anna since 2006.
“It was a good response,” said Cardinals coach Chris Schmidt. “We still got room to get better and that’s a good sign but we did some good things tonight.”
Anna had the ball twice in the first quarter and moved it well, but they ultimately punted on their first drive and were then stopped on 4th and 1 at New Bremen’s 35-yard line, turning it over on downs.
New Bremen turned it over on downs as well on its opening drive after going for it on 4th and 22 at Anna’s 26-yard line. Mitchell Hays threw it up for Dan Homan who looked like he came up with it but officials say he bobbled the ball on his way down and ruled it incomplete.
The Cardinals took over once again from their own 34-yard line late in the first. Hays connected with Homan for 11 yards and Zach Bertke then ran for seven yards.
To start the second quarter, Hays ran around the right side for a 24-yard gain. The next play, he went to the left side and ran it for a 21 yards and a score, snapping the Cardinals four-quarter scoring drought.
Anna was in no rush on Friday night, consistently letting the play clock dwindle to three seconds or left before they snapped it. On their third drive of the game, they were set up at the New Bremen 40yard line after a 56-yard return by Justin Richards. They ran 10 plays and chewed up 5:27 off the clock but ultimately turned it over on downs, failing to convert a 4th and 17.
New Bremen came away with three points on their next drive after a 32-yard field goal by Owen Gabel.
The next Anna drive would be a huge win for New Bremen. With 1:49 remaining left in the 2nd quarter, Anna was set up at their own 7-yard line following their kickoff return.
Anna’s quarterback Kohlten Carey ran for three yards but the next play Ben Blickle tackled Carey for a five-yard sack. New Bremen then called timeout.
On 3rd and 14, Carey’s
pass to Justin Richards fell incomplete and stopped the clock.
The Rockets punted from the back of their endzone and Zach Bertke returned it to Anna’s 29-yard line.
With 57 seconds left, Hays completed a pass to Wyatt Dicke for eight yards then Hays found Homan for the quick 21yard strike for a score.
New Bremen took a 17-0 lead into the half.
The Cardinals first drive of the second half stalled at Anna’s 13yard line after Hays ran it up the middle, coming up short on 4th and
1.
Anna ran 11 plays on its next drive, stalling once again after going for it on 4th and 9 at the Cardinals 27-yard line.
New Bremen wasted little time getting on the scoreboard again. Hays found Bertke for a couple of short plays to begin the drive, then on 3rd and 5 Hays connected with Branxton Krauss on a slant route over the middle. Krauss outraced the Rockets defense and ran 71 yards for the score. Rout on.
Their next drive, New Bremen took over at Anna’s 23-yard line. In an even quicker drive than the previous, the Cardinals needed just one play to find pay dirt. Hays hooked up with Homan across the middle for a 23-yard touchdown. A made PAT gave New Bremen the 31-0 lead.
Anna proceeded to turn it over on downs on their following drive.
New Bremen took possession at their own 43-yard line.
The starters were out for the fourth quarter that saw a running clock throughout.
Nick Alig was the star of the drive as he ran for 17 yards and then was on the receiving end of a 41-yard touchdown pass from David Homan.
Anna finally got on the board when Carey connected with Richards for a 40-yard score, making it 38-7.
The Cardinals punted on their next drive and Anna turned it over on downs on theirs.
New Bremen ran out the clock and celebrated their road victory.
Schmidt said last
week’s loss to Coldwater was a tough one that made the coaching staff and players eager to get back on the field.
“There was a sense this week of just some angst and frustration from last week,” said Schmidt. “I think the coaches had it, the players had it and we were all chomping at the bit to get back out here. I think it was just good for us to get back out here again and play a game and try and get some of that bad taste out of our mouths, so to speak, from last week.”
Schmidt commended Hays for his performance on Friday night. He finished the game 11-for-15 passing with 171 yards and three touchdowns. Hays was also the game’s leading rusher, running 10 times for 105 yards and another score.
“Mitchell Hays played a fantastic game,” he said. “We like to try to run the ball and establish the run first but they were trying to load up the box and play some man. I just thought he did a fantastic job of finding open receivers, keeping plays alive, deciding when to check it down or scramble. He had some big plays. That was great to see.”