Pierce Football Punches Their Ticket to State Finals
Launch the media gallery 1 playerby Sarah Miller
Packed stadium seating and fans lining the fencing around the field was the scene for this state semi-final game. The fans packed two charter buses for the trip down to Hastings and many more drove. All the support from the crowd helped the Bluejays win this blowout of a game.
The Bluejays held one of the top passing teams in C1 to just 108 passing yards and just 196 total yards to the Bluejay’s 511 total yards of offense.
The Bluejays started on defense, but a quick 3 and out series by Adams Central allowed the Bluejays a short field to work with. The first touchdown came from Carson Oestreich from 3 yards on the ground. Later on in the quarter, the Bluejays were able to punch in another touchdown from the 2 yard line. The Bluejays had a quick 12-0 lead in the first quarter.
In the second quarter there was one touchdown, which came from Brett Tinker on the ground from 1 yard out. After this touchdown, the Bluejays converted a two-point conversion. After two quarters of play, the Jays were up 20-0.
After halftime, the Jays scored three touchdowns in the third quarter. The first touchdown came from Oestreich again, this time from 6 yards out. The second touchdown came from Tinker from 3 yards out. The third touchdown came from Oestreich again, this time from 3 yards out. With the two-point conversion, the Bluejays were up 40-7.
In the third quarter, the Bluejays scored twice. The first touchdown came from Oestreich, this time from 4 yards out. Chaden Roth’s kick after was good. The final touchdown was a fumble return from 20 yards out by David Dale. With Roth’s kick the score ended at 54-14.
The top three rushers for the Bluejays were Oestreich, Tinker, and Freeman. Oestreich ended the night with 219 yards and 5 touchdowns. Tinker had 140 yards and 2 touchdowns. Freeman had 71 rushing yards.
Head coach Mark Brahmer commented on the game, “All of the coaches and I are extremely proud of the determination our young men displayed Friday night against a very talented Adams Central Team. We played physical on both sides of the ball, and we put together the best defensive effort of the season to shut down an explosive Adams Central offense. Coach Legate, Coach Doerr, Coach Simmons, Coach Scholting, Coach Painter, and Coach Brummels did a great job installing a tremendous defensive game plan.”
Senior running back, Carson Oestreich commented on how he felt right after the game, “I was so thankful that I have the team that I have. I was extremely happy as well that my dream of playing in Memorial Stadium had finally come true.”
The Bluejays finish out their season in the state game in Lincoln on Tuesday, November 26. Game time is at 10:15 a.m.
