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Saturday, November 7, 2009
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Pioneers pass over C-I 13-6 Throwing game proves too much for top-seeded Rangers Sports Writer FARGO, N.D. - When it comes to football Leo Pohlkamp doesn't lie.
So earlier in the week when he said his team can pass when it wants to, no one should have doubted the longtime Pierz Pioneers coach.
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The Pierz Pioneers celebrated their Section 6-2A championship Friday at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D. It's the fifth section title in seven years for the Pioneers, who will play in the state quarterfinals Friday. Brainerd Dispatch/Heidi Lake
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Friday provided proof for any remaining doubters as the second-seeded and seventh-ranked Pioneers threw two touchdown passes to upset the top-seeded and also seventh-ranked Crosby-Ironton Rangers 13-6 during the Section 6-2A final at the Fargodome.
"That's kind of a shocking stat," Pierz fullback Cody Stangl said about the two touchdown passes. "I thought we would have had better luck at running. We haven't been a passing team all year, but it's good to be able to pass."
Pierz 13, Crosby-Ironton 6
Key: Two fourth quarter touchdown passes propel Pioneers
Overall: C-I 10-1, Prz 10-1
Next: Pierz vs. Section 5-2A Eden Valley-Watkins in Class 2A state quarterfinals 5 p.m. Friday at St. Cloud State University.
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The Pioneers' passing attack entered threw for 523 yards and four touchdowns all season. Meanwhile, the rushing attack had covered 3,240 yards and scored 48 times.
Pierz's running game was still effective as it covered 196 yards, led by John Omann's 13, but it couldn't' find the end zone against a touch C-I defense.
Pierz's first touchdown came from the arm of Brandon Meyer, who found a wide open Travis Kahl for a 57-yard score. Kahl's extra-point kick gave Pierz its first lead of the game at 7-6.
It was Kahl's fifth catch of the season and first touchdown reception.
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Crosby-Ironton head coach Mike Gindorff spoke to his players during a timeout in Friday's Section 6-2A final at the Metrodome. Brainerd Dispatch/Heidi Lake
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The Pioneers reverted back to their normal ways on their next possession, running the ball 12 straight times and covering 54 yards.
But on third and six from the Ranger 10, Zach Pohlkamp play faked the run and hit fullback Cody Stangl in the end zone for the insurance score.
"I knew their game plan was going to be to take away Stangl running," Pohlkamp said. "We kept banging away and we got them a little bit in that second half. I don't know if we wore them down, but that second to last drive was the difference."
It was Stangl's second reception and first touchdown catch this season.
"That was a dog fight," said Stangl about the hard-hitting affair. "They were undefeated so they had to be good. We just came out and played hard and they played hard and they played good. In the second half we just got fired up and took it to them. At least we tried."
Few doubted C-I's passing attack heading into the Rangers first section final in 15 years. In the second quarter Phil Kuhlmann hit Mark Hoge on a post route. The senior receiver turned it into a 91-yard touchdown pass. Hoge caught two passes for 115 yards and also added a fumble recovery and an interception. Matthew Hudrlik caught three passes for 77 yards and rushed for 52. Younger brother Nathan Hudrlik rushed for 109 yards as C-I outgained Pierz 331-310.
But three interceptions and two fumbles spoiled C-I's hopes of a first state bid.
"It should have been 21-0 at halftime," said Ranger head coach Mike Gindorff. "We just told the kids to remain focused and they did a great job in the second half. We had a starting linebacker go down and so we had to sell out a little bit more to stop the run and they caught us on an out pass on their last touchdown."
Said Pohlkamp: "My hats off to C-I. They had a great season. They really did. I'm glad to see football back in C-I. They were down a couple of years and they brought it back. That's a good thing."
Pierz 0 0 0 13 - 13
Crosby-Ironton 0 6 0 0 - 6
Second quarter
CI-Mark Hoge 91 pass from Phil Kuhlmann (kick failed) 9:45
Fourth quarter
Prz-Travis Kahl 57 pass from Brandon Meyer (Kahl kick) 11:09
Prz-Cody Stangl 10 pass from Zach Pohlkamp (kick failed) 1:51
Team statistics
First downs: CI 10, P 16
Rushes-yards: CI 32-139, P 45-196
Pass comp-att-int-yds: CI 5-16-3-192, P 6-16-1-114
Total offense: CI 48-331, P 61-310
Fumbles-lost: CI 3-2, P 1-1
Penalties-yds lost: CI 2-17, P 6-40
Individual statistics
Rushing: CI-Nathan Hudrlik 19-109, Matthew Hudrlik 9-52, Phil Kuhlmann 3-(-4), team rushing 1-(-18), P-John Omann 21-131, Cody Stangl 11-37, Mitch Woitalla 7-21, Travis Kahl, Brandon Meyer 3-(-6)
Passing: CI-Kuhlmann 5-16-192, P-Zach Pohlkamp 3-10-31, Meyer 3-7-83
Receiving: CI-Mark Hoge 2-115, Matthew Hudrlik 3-77, P-Kahl 2-68, Omann 2-21, Dylan Kummet 1-15, Stangl 1-10
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.
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