NYM finishes season with a record of 4-7 overall

The New York Mills football team wrapped up its season on Friday afternoon with a runner up finish in the Section 6A tournament. The game was held at the FargoDome in Fargo, N.D.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

New York Mills had its magical run through the section tournament come to a close on Friday night as the sixth seeded Eagles fell to the top seeded Parkers Prairie Panthers 26-6. The loss ends  the season for the Eagles, who entered the section tournament with a record of 2-6 overall, but were able to string a pair of upsets together two weeks ago over third seeded West Central Area and second seeded Breckenridge to advance to Friday’s section championship game at the FargoDome in Fargo, N.D.

Braxton Ehnert looks for an open teammate deep in Parkers Prairie territory on Friday. 

After ending the first half in a tie by a score of 6-6, the Panthers were able to score 20 unanswered points to capture their first section championship since 2003 by a score of 26-6. 

The top seeded Panthers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as they drove 68 yards in six plays and found the end zone for the first time on a Cohen Noska 1-yard run. 

The Eagles answered the score with a touchdown drive of their own when Finn Roder drove across the end zone on a 3-yard dive up the middle to make the score 6-6 with just 3:02 left in the first quarter. The game remained at 6-6 until the halftime break. 

William Seim and Elijah Menze converge on a tackle during Friday’s section championship game.

“A very good game and a nice run by our team by getting to the FargoDome,” said head coach Matt Radniecki. “If I had told the team on Oct. 1 that we were making it to the dome and playing some of our best football we all would have taken it. This team never gave up hope and that is what I am most proud of. We played a great first half, but just couldn’t keep it going in the second half against a very talented Parkers Prairie team.”

NY Mills was set to have the first possession of the third quarter, but Parkers Prairie forced a fumble on the kick off and recovered it on the Eagles 25-yard line. Parkers Prairie put together a five-play drive and scored on a Mason Boesl 3-yard run to give the Panthers a 12-6 lead. On the subsequent drive, the Panthers blocked a Braxton Ehnert punt to give Parkers Prairie the ball on the Eagles 38-yard line. 

Bode Roberts brings down a Parkers Prairie player on Friday.

Parkers Prairie wasted little time to find the end zone as quarterback Cohen Noska found receiver Dylan Debilzen on a 38-yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers a 20-6 lead, following the two-point conversion. 

David Revering gave the Panthers a bit of breathing room in the fourth quarter when he scored on a 58-yard touchdown run to end the game by a score of 26-6. 

“This group has been a fun group to coach and has gotten better and better each week,” said Radniecki. “Very proud of the six seniors and all that they have done for our program. Nice job guys you have been through a lot with freshmen Covid year and moving forward after that.”

After a pair of upsets in the opening two rounds of the section tournament, Radniecki said the coaches and players were thankful for the support of their fans this season, including a big turnout at the FargoDome. 

“We sure enjoyed the experience and thanks to all our fans who showed up in Fargo and their continued support throughout our season. It was a fun ride and the memories will be there forever.  Thanks again to parents/players and all for a great year,” said Radniecki.

The Eagles finish their season with a record of 4-7 overall.

The Panthers will now take on Mahnomen/Waubun in the opening round of the Class A state football tournament on Friday night in Brainerd.