Bluejay Football
Bluejays Taken Down by The Braves
by Autumn Lambrecht
On Friday, October 15, the Pierce Bluejays left the home turf and went down to Battle Creek, but were taken down by the Braves 24-6.
In the first quarter, the Pierce Bluejays were not able to score any points against the Battle Creek Braves. The first quarter ended 7-0.
Into the second quarter, again the Bluejays were not able to put up any points, but the Braves added another seven points to their score ending the first half 14-0.
Coming into the third quarter, the Bluejays still struggled to score any touchdowns, but strengthened the defense and limited the Braves to only scoring three points, for a final third quarter score of 17-0.
Finally in the fourth quarter, the offense started to take a positive turn, and Benjamin Brahmer scored the first touchdown with a strong pass from Abram Scholting. The kick was no good and the game ended 24-6.
Assistant coach Les Painter comments, “We played a team backed in a corner, and I believe that team wanted it more than we did. We've got to fix a lot of little things to make run in the playoffs which we will do.”
Throughout the night, Ritter Oestreich made five tackles, with Michael Kuntorad following with four. Scholting, Brahmer, Tristan Kuehler, Dawson Raabe and Evan Willits all individually added three tackles. Matthew Christensen, Bode Hoffman and Addison Croghan gained two tackles each, with Kaden Johnson, Nicholas Erickson, Carter Meier, and Seth Premer each contributing one tackle.
Kuehler also had one interception. Oestreich had three kick off returns, and Willits had one.
Senior Max Cooper comments, “I think we played okay, but overall everyone needs to get more physical if we want to win.”
The Bluejays have their final regular season game at home on Friday, October 22, versus Wayne. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Bluejays Take Down the Panthers
by Addison Sporleder
On Monday, October 12, the Pierce JV team took on the Norfolk Panthers at the Bluejay Athletic Complex. After a well-played game by the Bluejays, they were able to defeat the Panthers 35-8.
Keenan Valverde had a great game for the Bluejays with three touchdowns of his own, including a defensive score from a fumble recovery and run. Following that, Valverde kicked a point after to add on.
Deon Watts contributed to the lead with a touchdown of his own. Also adding to the win was Benjamin Bolling with a touchdown run. Caleb Newman had a two point conversion to add on to the score. Finally, Kaden Froehlich contributed a two point conversion to add to the game.
Freshman Bolling commented, “We got pretty good yards offensively. We can work on doing our inside plays and up-the-middle plays.”
Head JV coach Grant Doerr stated, “Once we stopped turning the ball over, I felt we were able to move the ball fairly well. I feel a number of students have made significant improvements throughout the year and I'm very pleased with their overall growth and development as football players.”
