Bluejay Football
Bluejays Defeat Vikings
by Kailey Marks
The Bluejay varsity football team claimed a win 44-22 against the Lakeview Vikings on Friday, September 28 in Lakeview. Lakeview was rated fifth at the time, and the Vikings’ defense was highly respected.
The first quarter of the game ended with a score of 14-7. Junior Carson Oestreich started the game with a touchdown, but the extra point by senior Devan Roth was no good. Vikings then squeezed in a touchdown against the Bluejays. Pierce’s ground game had been consistent, and the Viking defense seemed to key on that. Then a flea-flicker play led to a sudden answering score from Pierce as Oestreich threw a 75 yard pass to junior Gavin Larson for the touchdown, and the pass from junior Dalton Freeman to Oestreich was good for the two-point conversion.
The second quarter was owned by the Bluejays for a halftime score of 28-7. Senior Ryder Fuchs stuck the ball in the endzone on a one-yard run, with an extra point by Roth. Then Freeman took a six-yard romp, and the extra kick by Roth was good.
Third quarter ended at 35-7. Oestreich snagged interception and added an 80 yard run for the touchdown.
In the final quarter Roth scored a 23 yard field goal. Lakeview then fought in a four-yard run on the Bluejays. Senior Dylan Delka then scored a 19 yard fumble return on the Vikings, but the kick after was no good. Vikings then fit in one more touchdown before finishing the game with a score of 44-22.
Coach Mark Brahmer was very pleased about the boys’ effort against a very good team like Lakeview, but also expressed that they definitely have some areas to work on and must start eliminating some “silly penalties” and improve their tackling. He also emphasized, “I was thrilled with our two defensive scores and hope we can continue to create turnovers, a part of the game we’ve placed quite a bit of emphasis on in practice.”
Bluejays highest rushing yards were by Oestreich with 144 yards. Freeman had three passes for the team, in addition to the one by Oestreich, and his fifth interception of the year. Scoring leader was Oestreich with two touchdowns, and Delka, Freeman, Fuchs and Larson with one each.
The varsity team’s next game is Friday, October 5 on the Pierce field against the Logan View Raiders. That night also includes Parent’s Night for Cross Country, Cheerleading and Girls’ Golf.
JV Football Soars over Knights
by Kailey Marks
The junior varsity football team played the Norfolk Catholic Knights at Pierce on Monday, October 1. The Bluejays are undefeated at 3-0 after beating the Knights 42-7.
In the first quarter, sophomore David Dale scored on a one-yard run, and the extra kick by sophomore Chaden Roth was good. Pierce led 7-0 to end the first quarter.
Second quarter included sophomore Dawson Watts scoring on a ten-yard catch from Roth, and the PAT by Roth was good to put Pierce ahead 14-0 at the half.
Going into the third quarter, junior Jeremiah Kruntorad got a three yard run to the touchdown and the extra point by Roth was good. Freshman Kaden Johnson got an interception against the Knights and scored a 30 yard run; Roth’s extra point good. Kruntorad then raced 70 yards to score another touchdown for the Bluejays with Roth’s extra point being good. The Knights scored a touchdown in the quarter, and it ended with a score of 35-7.
During the final quarter, freshman Michael Kruntorad scored on a 35 yard run for the Bluejays, the extra point by Roth successful.
Coach Grant Doerr said that the boys did very well and defense was there. He added that there were good plays done by the young and older boys. Doerr said there will be a good week of practice to be ready for Norfolk’s offense and defense the next game, which will be at Norfolk, against Norfolk Public on Monday, October 8.
JH Football Splits with Boone Central
by Tazlynn Sporleder
Boone Central’s junior high football team came to Pierce on Tuesday, September 25. Pierce’s seventh grade took a hard-fought loss, but the eighth graders won in an easy game.
The seventh grade team had a tough start, trailing 0-36 at halftime. In the second half of the game Pierce came in with fire and scored a touchdown on a quarterback keeper. After another throwing touchdown, Pierce brought the score to 14-36.
The eighth grade boys won the game with ease. The ending score was 52-6. The team's offense was good, but the defense was better to hold the Cardinals to six points throughout the game.
Pierce took an early 16-0 lead. Ben Brahmar scored the first and second touchdowns to give Pierce a strong start. Abram Scholting had a touchdown on a quarterback keeper, and Pierce had a 24-0 lead. Brahmar scored again to lead the Bluejays to a 32-0 lead. Then Brahmar ran for another touchdown, and the score was 38-0. When Brahmer scored another touchdown, the score was 46-0. The Cardinals scored a touchdown, but the point after was not good, so the score was 46-6, and Brahmer scored another touchdown for the final 52-6.
The next game is October 2 at Wayne. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
