By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
After starting the season 0-4, the NRHEG High School football team has fashioned a short victory streak.
The Panthers, who overwhelmed Medford 34-0 the previous week, made it two in a row with a 22-0 shutout of arch-rival Waterville-Elysian-Morristown in NRHEG's homecoming game in New Richland Friday, Oct. 6.
"We won on homecoming and took down our rival," said Panthers coach Marc Kruger. "I am very proud of this team."
And, for the second week in a row, Kruger said, "We played great in all phases."
But the defense was especially impressive, holding the Buccaneers to 95 total yards and limiting them to 35 rushing yards.
"On defense we really flew around and made big plays," said Kruger. "Jace Ihrke, Zander Flatness, and Carter Martens really were tough up the middle."
And the NRHEG offense took care of business, putting six points on the board in the opening quarter on the first of three touchdown passes by Alden Dobberstein, this one from 2 yards out to George Roesler.
It was 6-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Dobberstein threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Chrz, who ran for the two-point conversion.
Dobberstein tosses a 22-yard touchdown pass to Carter Flatland in the fourth period. Raab again ran for the conversion.
Dobberstein, a junior, had another strong all around game with 62 yards rushing and 65 passing, going 5-for-10 with one interception. Flatland caught two passes for 37 yards, Roesler two for 23.
"Alden had another great game running the ball and finding some players for touchdowns," said Kruger. "Our line did a great job creating holes and letting our running backs find space."
The Panthers play Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m., facing JWP on Janesville's artificial turf. The regular season ends Wednesday, Oct. 18 at home against United South Central, with section playoffs starting the following Tuesday.
NRHEG 22, WEM 0
WEM 0 0 0 0 - 0
NRHEG 6 0 8 8 - 22
First Quarter
NRHEG - Roesler 2 pass from Dobberstein (two-point conversion failed)
Second Quarter
No scoring
Third Quarter
NRHEG - Chrz 5 pass from Dobberstein (Chrz run)
Fourth Quarter
NRHEG - Flatland 22 pass from Dobberstein (Raab run)
WEM NR
Total plays 58 43
First Downs 9 10
Rushing Yards 35 142
Passing Yards 60 65
Total Yards 95 207
Third Down 5-16 6-11
Fourth Down 2-5 0-2
Turnovers 2 1
Fumbles lost 0 0
Int. thrown 2 1
Penalties 3-26 0-0
Individual Statistics
Rushing - NRHEG: Dobberstein 10-62; Cromwell 9-36; Raab 7-29; Olson 6-16; Fleming 1 -1; WEM: 28-35
Passing - NRHEG: Dobberstein 5-10-1, 65; WEM: 6-26-2, 60
Receiving - NRHEG: Flatland 2-37; Roesler 2-23; Chrz 1-5; WEM: 6-60
NRHEG defense: Roesler 6 solo tackles, 1 sack, 4 tackles for loss; Bartlett 5 tackles, 1 interception; Ihrke 4 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss; Flatness 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss; Raab 3 tackles; Flatland 3 tackles, 1 interception; Olson 2 tackles; Martens 2 tackles, 1 assist, 2 tackles for loss; Brouwers 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss; Parpart 1 tackle; Rest of Team 5 tackles