ALEXANDRIA - With two days off for teacher's conventions at the end of next week the Brainerd Warriors will have just two days to prepare for Wednesday's game at home against Fergus Falls.
That means the Brainerd Warriors have to move on - immediately - despite Friday's 38-35 loss to the Alexandria Cardinals.
Brainerd and Alexandria combined for 804 total yards in an offensive extravaganza.
"It was a great effort," Warriors coach Ron Stolski said. "We knew they were a very good team. We just have to button it up and play Wednesday."
Quarterback Reid Mimmack believes the Warriors will regroup.
"I think we can bounce back pretty easy," he said. "I remember, and this is just running in my head, it's like Bemidji (a 15-13 loss) all over again. We came right back out after Willmar and we were real fired up. Just looking at these guys right now you can tell we're going to get after Fergus Falls."
Countless counters
Alexandria rushed for 269 yards, the most the Warriors have surrendered all season. The Cardinals faked handoffs before running misdirection, or counter plays, some of which chewed up huge yardage.
"We didn't tackle very well," Warriors defensive coordinator Bob Brakke said. "We didn't read as well as we normally do. But I don't want to take anything away from Alexandria because they set up a great game plan. They know how we play. They tried to do things to counteract that, which was mainly the counter."
In a rush
Mimmack had the best rushing game of his career as he gained 126 yards on 11 carries (10.9-yard average) and scored on runs of 49 and 10 yards and one yard.
"They've seen the running backs run, but we have that option play in now," Mimmack said of Alexandria. "The run for me, as well as for the running backs, was open today."
After Mimmack ran 49 yards on the game's first possession, Bruce London recovered a fumble at the Alexandria 28. But the Warriors went four plays and out as Mimmack overthrew tight end Cole Stegora for a possible touchdown.
"It's very difficult, it's not just one player that makes it," Mimmack said of losing. "If you look back in the game if I complete that early pass to Stegora we're up by (two touchdowns). It's just little things. You can't put it on any one thing."
Proud grandparent
Alexandria running back Matt Peterson is the grandson of Dorothy Adamson of Brainerd.
The senior running back and captain had a big day in only his second game of the season, rushing 13 times for 107 yards and the game-winning 23-yard touchdown.
"Last week at Rocori was his first game back for the year," Cardinals coach Mike Empting said. "He hurt his knee during two-a-days and didn't even participate in our preseason scrimmage."
MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.
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