NYM to host Pillager in regular season finale

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

New York Mills ran into a buzz saw in Staples-Motley on Friday night and fell by a score of 35-6. The Eagles found themselves in a quick 15-0 deficit after a pair of Staples-Motley touchdown runs just minutes into the start of the game. 

“A very good Staples team for this year.  They are very talented and young and their skill people are very good,” said head coach Matt Radniecki. “The team battled, but dug that earlier hole of 15-0 in the first four minutes.  After that we settled down and played much better football against Staples.”

NY Mills cut into the Cardinals lead a bit late in the first quarter when Teagan Lausten scored on a 25-yard run to make the score 15-6. 

The Cardinals added a pair of touchdown passes in the second quarter from 15 and 50-yards out to give themselves a 29-6 lead at halftime. They added another touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter to come away with the 35-6 victory.

The Eagles were led offensively by Bode Roberts who had 9 tackles and DaShaun Robinson who finished with 8. 

Despite the loss, Radniecki said the team continues to work hard and is getting better on the field.

“The team continues to work hard and I am very proud of that fact.  We are getting better even though it is not showing in the wins and losses,” he said. “We had a great homecoming week and the student body was great once again. They had fun and that is important to remember. Nice job and keep your heads up.”

This week the Eagles, who are 2-5 overall, will host the Pillager Huskies.

“This week we face a tough Pillager team on Parent’s Night. This will be a challenge but we will go out and do our best against them and get better,” said Radniecki. 

The Huskies come into the game with a record of 5-2 overall and are averaging 31.6 points per game on offense, while giving up 21 points per game on defense. 

The Eagles are averaging 10.7 points per game on offense, while giving up 20.9 points per game on defense. 

Wednesday’s game will get underway at 6 p.m. 

The Section 6A playoffs get underway next week and currently the Eagles are in fourth place in the section according to the QRF standings. Parkers Prairie had the top spot in the section, while West Central is in second place and Breckenridge is in third place. 

The Eagles are just ahead of Pine River-Backus who also has a 2-5 record overall and Ashby/Brandon-Evansville in the QRF standings for the fourth seed, which would result in a home playoff game in the first round. ABE is 4-3 overall, but is playing a nine-man regular season schedule. 

The opening round of the section playoffs will be held on Tuesday night, while the second round will be held on Saturday at the high seeds.