New York Mills improves to 6-1 overall, to travel to M-W on Wednesday

Bode Roberts was assisted by a number of New York Mills defenders to bring down a Parkers Prairie player during Friday’s regular season home finale against the Panthers.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

New York Mills is one step closer to receiving home field advantage through the opening two rounds of the Section 6A tournament after defeating Parkers Prairie by a score of 32-18 on Friday night.

In their final regular season home game of the season, the Eagles outscored the Panthers by a 24-6 margin in the second half to overcome a rare halftime deficit.

Quarterback Brayden Ehnert looks for a block as he runs down the field against Parkers Prairie. 

“A good game in that in the second half we finally put all three phases together and executed on special teams, offense and defense.  In the first half we just really hurt ourselves with turnovers and miscues,” said head coach Matt Radniecki. “In the second half our seniors really rose up and took the challenge to play their best half of the year and we did that.”

The Eagles got things going early in the first quarter when Jonah Ruther scored on a 27-yard touchdown run, before Monte Briard converted the two-point conversion to put the Eagles in front by a score of 8-0. 

Parkers Prairie fought back in the second quarter with a pair of long plays to take a 12-8 lead heading into halftime. The Panthers scored for the first time on a 37-yard pass, before scoring on a 97-yard touchdown run to give them a 12-0 lead.

Jonah Ruther races down the sideline in front of a group of Parkers Prairie players during Friday’s game against the Panthers.

NY Mills scored three touchdowns in the second half to put them in front for good. Briard put the Eagles in front by a score of 16-12 when he scored on a 4-yard run. Brayden Ehnert converted the two-point conversion. NY Mills scored their second touchdown of the quarter when Teagan Lausten caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Ehnert. Finn Roder converted the two-point conversion to put the Eagles in front by a score of 24-12.

NY Mills got a bit of breathing room in the fourth quarter when Roder caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Ehnert and Lausten converted the two-point conversion to give the Eagles a 34-18 win over the Panthers. 

“Our line and backs ran hard and we focused on doing our job and not worrying about others, but trusting in our teammates,” said Radniecki. “Brayden Ehnert and Monte Briard really led the way and made some big plays for us in the second half. Teagan Lausten also contributed to the mix. Our whole team responded well.”  

A group of Eagles, led by Will Seim, bring down a Parkers Prairie ball carrier on Friday night. 

In their final regular season home game of the season, NY Mills honored the seniors on this year’s team who have helped to guide the Eagles to a 6-1 record and 5-1 record in the conference. The Eagles have clinched at least a share of the conference title.

“Really proud of our seniors and the job they have for us,” said Radniecki. “It was a great senior night win and we look forward to getting after it against Mahnomen-Waubun this week in Waubun. 

The Thunderbirds come into the game with a record of 7-0 and are ranked third in the QRF. The Thunderbirds are averaging 28.6 points per game on offense, while giving up just 11.3 points per game on defense. 

NY Mills currently leads the Section 6A standings with a record of 6-1 and QRF ranking of 7, while Breckenridge is in second place with a record of 5-2 and a QRF ranking of 18. Otter Tail Central is in third place with a record of 5-2 and a QRF ranking of 20, Pine River-Backus is currently in fourth place with a record of 5-2 and QRF ranking of 25, Menahga is in fifth place with a record of 4-3 and a QRF ranking of 27, Lake Park-Audubon is in sixth place with a record of 3-4 and a QRF ranking of 35, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley is in seventh place with a record of 2-5 and a QRF ranking of 46 and Underwood is in eighth place with a record of 0-7 and a QRF ranking of 55.