Flag-filled battle goes to Beckman

     Monticello outgained Dyersville Beckman, 362 to 306. The Panthers outscored Beckman 16-14 in the second half.

     What they couldn’t overcome, however, were a 17-0 deficit at halftime, and nine penalties for 115 yards in the first half, as the Trailblazers scored a 31-16 football victory over Monticello Friday, Oct. 13 in Dyersville.

     Beckman struck quickly, as Jackson Feldman returned the opening kickoff 69 to the Monticello 18-yard line, and three plays later quarterback Joel Vaske scored on a one-yard run to give the Blazers an early 6-0 lead.

     After a Panther punt, the Blazers drove 80 yards in seven plays, scoring on a six-yard run by Carter White, to take a 14-0 lead five minutes into the game.

     “They got great field position, something that has hurt us this year,” Monticello coach Wes Wilson said.

     Penalties were big factors in the game, particularly in the first half. The Panthers were whistled for nine penalties, totaling 115 yards, in the first two quarters, drawing loud, angry tirades from the visitors’ bleachers.

     “It was very frustrating for our guys (players), and emotions got the best of us in a couple situations,” Wilson said. “Some things are beyond our control, and we have to keep our emotions in check. Two of the penalties came on touchdowns that were called back. Even with the penalties we were in the red zone and still need to convert.”

     In one case Monticello was called for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties after the same play, resulting in a markoff of 30 yards. That Beckman series ended with Gavin Holub blocking a Blazer punt, but the Panthers were unable to convert before halftime.

     Monticello (2-4, 4-4) got as close as the Beckman 5-yard line late in the first quarter, but couldn’t score. The Blazers then drove into Monticello territory, and Nick Friedman kicked a 33-yard field goal to give Beckman a 17-0 lead with 8:09 left in the half. That score held up until halftime.

     The teams traded touchdowns in the second half. Beckman scored on a one-yard run by Vaske to take a 23-0 lead, but the Panthers quickly answered with a 65-yard drive in eight plays, scoring on a one-yard run by Max Keleher. A 36-yard pass, Jacob Manternach to Gavin Cooper, brought the ball to the 4-yard line and set up the score. Cooper also caught a two-point conversion pass from Manternach after the TD.

     The Blazers scored on the second play of the fourth quarter to take a 31-8 lead, but again Monticello answered. A nine-play, 65-yard drive ended on a two-yard run by Keleher, and a two-point run by Manternach. With 3:44 to play, Beckman led 31-16.

     Beckman then recovered an onside kick attempt by the Panthers. Monticello did get the ball once more, but was stopped on downs at the Beckman 26.

     “Our kids battled all game,” Wilson said. “I am proud of that. We had opportunities in this game; things just didn’t go our way.”

     Manternach passed for 211 yards in the game. Andrew Mescher caught eight passes for 118 yards, including a diving catch on a 28-yard play in the first quarter. Keleher finished with 102 yards rushing.

     Lake Stahlberg led the team in tackles with 10.5, while Holub, Wade Picray and Clayton Kraus were in on sacks. Manternach recovered a Beckman fumble.

     The Panthers will close out the season at home, against Waterloo Columbus, on Friday, Oct. 20.

     “Columbus is a team that plays hard,” Wilson said. “They have some good young kids that can make some plays.”

Oct. 13

Monti           0    0   8   8  –  16

Beckman  14   3   6   8  –  31

SCORING SUMMARY

FIRST QUARTER

     Beck – Vaske 1 run (kick blocked).

Beck – White 6 run (Brown run).

SECOND QUARTER

     Beck – Friedman 33 field goal.

THIRD QUARTER

     Beck – Vaske 1 run (kick blocked).

     Monti – Keleher 1 run (Cooper pass from Manternach).

FOURTH QUARTER

     Beck – Vaske 8 run (White run).

     Monti – Keleher 2 run (Manternach run).

TEAM STATISTICS

                             Monti      Beck

Rushing yds.        151        225

Passing yds.         211         81

Comp.-att.-int. 15-26-2   4-10-0

Total yds.             362        306

Penalties           11-125    11-110

Fumbles lost          1            1

MONTICELLO STATISTICS

     Rushing – Keleher 23-102, Manternach 12-49.

     Passing – Manternach 15-26-211-0-2

     Receiving – Mescher 8-118, Cooper 2-58, D. Kraus 3-19, Keleher 2-16.

     Fumble recovery – Manternach.

     Tackles – Stahlberg 10.5, Manternach 8, Picray 6, Mescher 4.5, Holub 4, Luensman 3.5, Wallerich 3.5, Bowser 3, Cooper 2.5, C. Kraus 2.5, Kuper 2.5, Kiburz 2, Keleher 1.5, Brokaw 1, Lorenzen 1.

     Sacks – Holub 1.5, Picray 1, C. Kraus 0.5.

     Tackles-for-loss – Holub 1.5, Stahlberg 1.5, Picray 1, Kraus 0.5, Mescher 0.5.