By JIM LUTGENS

Sports Editor

The final tally makes it look like a lop-sided game, but it truly was closer than the score indicates as the NRHEG High School football team succumbed to Minnesota Valley Lutheran 34-12 at New Ulm Saturday night.

"It was much closer than the scores shows," said NRHEG coach Marc Kruger. "It was a 1-2 possession game most of the night."

The Panthers, 0-3, took their first lead of the season when they drove for an opening-possession touchdown, which came on a 7-yard run by quarterback Alden Dobberstein. A two-point conversion try tailed.

Minnesota Valley Lutheran answered with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns. After a scoreless second period, NRHEG trailed 14-6 at halftime.

MVL made it 21-6 in the third quarter, with the Panthers answering with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Dobberstein to Sam Olson. Again, a two-point conversion try was stopped.

MVL tacked on touchdowns in the third and fourth quarter.

"Our boys came out and played really well, scoring on the first drive behind some great runs from Alden," said Kruger. "He had a heck of a game on the ground and in the air. Our defense was able to do some really nice things against a very strong rushing attack from the Crusaders."

Dobberstein, a junior, finished with 145 yards passing while going 10-for-24 with two interceptions. Jackson Chrz caught four passes for 102 yards. Olson had three receptions, Harbor Cromwell two.

The Panthers were outgained 352-217 in total yards, including 233-72 rushing. Dobberstein was NRHEG's leading ball carrier with 57 yards on 10 carries.

Chrz led the defense with seven tackles. Carter Flatland had six tackles and a sack. Jaylin Raab made five stops.

George Roesler had an effective night punting the ball, averaging 42 on three tries.

The Panthers host St. Clair/Mankato Loyola Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.

 

MVL 34, NRHEG 12

 

NRHEG                    6    0      6     0 — 12

MVL                       14    0     14    6 — 34

 

First Quarter

NRHEG — Dobberstein 7 run (two-point conversion failed

MVL — Grimsley 17 run (Stephenson kick)

MVL — Grimsley 16 pass reception (Stephenson kick)

Second Quarter

No scoring

Third Quarter

MVL — Grimsley 17 pass reception (two-point conversion failed)

NRHEG – Olson 10 pass from Dobberstein (two-point conversion failed)

MVL — Grimsley 2 run (Stephenson kick)

Fourth Quarter

MVL — 5 run (kick failed)

 

                            NRHEG      MVL

Total plays                            48            68

First downs                           11            12

Rushing                                72          233

Passing                          10-25-2     9-20-0

Passing Yds.                         145         119

Total offense                         217        352

Third down                           3-9         5-11

Fourth down                         0-2           1-4

Fumbles lost                           1               0

Penalties                              5-15        8-55

 

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – NRHEG: Dobberstein 10-57; Cromwell 3-11; Raab 8-4; MVL: Grimsley 21-158; Shimanski 5-20; Rest of team 14-54

Passing – NRHEG: Dobberstein 10-24-2, 145; Roesler 0-1-0, 0; MVL: 9-20-0, 119

Receiving – NRHEG: Chrz 4-102; Cromwell 2-33; Olson 3-20; Raab 1-1; MVL: Grimsley 2-21; Rest of team 7-98

NRHEG Defense – Chrz 7 tackles; Flatland 6 tackles, 1 sack; Raab 5 tackles; Bartelt 4 tackles, 2 assists; Roesler 3 tackles, 1 assist; Parpart 3 tackles; Olson 2 tackles; Ihrke 2 tackles, 1 assist; Cromwell 1 tackle, 3 assists; Brouwers 1 tackle; Flatness 1 tackle; Knudson 2 assists; Fleming 1 assist; Rest of team 3 tackles