Eagles will look to rebound on Friday against LPA

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Everrett Ruther accounted for 175 yards of total offense and both New York Mills touchdowns as the Eagles fell in yet another close game on Friday night, this time by a score of 26-12 to the Frazee Hornets. 

Despite being outgained by the Hornets 353-245, the Eagles dominated the time of possession as they held a 33:13-14:47 advantage thanks to a dominating rushing attacked led by Ruther. As a team the Eagles had 152 yards rushing, led by Ruther who finished with 145 yards on the ground and three catches for 30 yards through the air. 

After a scoreless first quarter, Dawson Lyman broke the scoreless tie with a 37-yard touchdown run to give the Hornets a 6-0 lead. The two-point conversion failed to leave the score at 6-0. 

NY Mills answered with just 2:12 remaining in the half when Ruther scored his first of two touchdowns for the Eagles on a 19-yard and after the kick failed the game was tied 6-6 with just two minutes remaining in the half. Just over one minute later, Mason Mickelson gave the Hornets some momentum heading into the halftime break when he scored on a 10-yard run to put Frazee in front by a score of 12-6. 

After both defenses held the other team off the scoreboard in the third quarter the Hornets struck quickly in the final 12 minutes of action as Ben Reierson scored on a one-yard run. The two-point conversion failed to leave the score at 18-6. 

Mickelson put the Hornets in front for good with a 65-yard touchdown run with 4:55 to go in the game and the two-point conversion was successful as Frazee took a commanding 26-6 lead with less-than five minutes remaining in the game.

Ruther found the end zone for NY Mills for the second time in the game with just 1:45 remaining in regulation to make the score 26-12.

In addition to Ruther, Creed Mursu rushed five times for 20 yards, while going 9-17 for 93 yards and an interception through the air. Ruther caught three passes for 30 yards, while Gabe Brasel caught three passes for 22 yards, Tony Nichols caught one pass for 28 yards, Carlyle Tumberg caught one pass for 11 yards and Bergen Roder caught one pass for two yards. 

Defensively, Eli Vaughn led the way with seven tackles, while Ruther and Nichols each finished with six tackles in the loss.

This week the Eagles, who are 0-4 on the season, will take on the 3-1 Lake Park-Audubon Raiders.

The Raiders come into the game averaging 31.5 points per game on offense, while surrendering 14.5 points per game on defense. They have victories over West Central Area 28-14, Wadena-Deer Creek 55-8 and Menahga 27-14. Last week they lost to Otter Tail Central 22-16. 

The Eagles average 11 points per game on offense and surrender 20 points per game on defense.