MAPLE LAKE -- Blake Kowalczyk ran for a pair of touchdowns for Class 3A’s top-ranked Pierz Pioneers who extended their regular-season winning streak to 30 games with a 28-7 win over Class 2A’s ninth-ranked Maple Lake Irish in a Mid-State Subdistrict 1 game Wednesday, Oct. 16.
The Pioneers last regular season loss was Sept. 9, 2016 to Maple Lake.
Mathias Algarin opened the scoring for Pierz on a 23-yard run only to see the Irish return the ensuing kickoff 95 yards and kick the extra point for a 7-6 lead. It marked the first points given up by the Pioneers in the first quarter and the only time they have trailed all season.
Kowalczyk put Pierz up for good less than five minutes later on a 3-yard TD run. Michael Leidenfrost and Kowalczyk added third quarter scores.
Algarin rushed 10 times for 153 yards to lead the offense.
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Defensively, the Pioneers collected a season-high five turnovers on two interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
Pierz 14 0 14 0 -- 28
Maple Lake 7 0 0 0 -- 7
First quarter
Prz-Matthias Algarin 23 run (kick fail) 6:06
ML-Ben Reilley 95 kickoff return (Charlie Berndt kick) 5:53
Prz-Blake Kowalczyk 3 run (Algarin run) 1:14
Third quarter
Prz-Michael Leidenfrost 7 run (kick fail) 8:45
Prz-Blake Kowalczyk 1 run (Algarin pass from Peter Schommer) 5:44
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Team statistics
Rushes-yards: Prz 42-277, ML 29-34
Pass comp-att-int-yds: Prz 0-6-0-0, ML 8-17-2-82
Total offense: Prz 48-277, ML 46-116
