Hastings too strong for Briar Cliff
By Steven Allspach Journal sports writer | Posted: Sunday, September 09, 2007
Briar Cliff Coach Dick Strittmatter is proud of the relentless moxey of his offensive linemen.
But the Charger coach's future Great Plains Athletic Conference football wish list might include the acquisition of a herd of beefy O-linemen that trample the Great Plains like the dreadnaughts at Hastings College.
"Hastings, with its size, eventual wore us out in the final quarter,'' said Strittmatter after the Broncos kicked and stomped their way to a 24-21GPAC victory before a crowd of 1,346 at Memorial Field Saturday afternoon.
The game was close and that was the good thing, of course.
The Chargers, though, in falling to 0-2 in conference play, didn't pass muster in most other statistical categories.
An offensive line featuring Evan Klanecky (6-4, 315), Zach Lamphere (6-1, 281), Brandon Jacobitz (6-4, 317), Eddie Krajicek (6-1, 270) and true freshman Sam Icenogle (6-1, 327) allowed Bronco running backs Maurice Mansfield and Nick Grummert, another true freshman, to combine for 302 of Hastings' 307 rushing yards.
Mansfield, shifted from wide receiver to tailback in an opening 13-9 win over Dakota State because starter Dan Bargen is sidelined with an injury, rushed for 174 yards on 30 totes.
Grummert, a Nebraska Class B first-team all-stater at Beatrice as a senior, tacked on 124 yards on 31 carries.
"Running behind our offensive line is a luxury,'' said Grummert, who didn't get a carry in the opening game. "They're huge and physical and take a lot of pride in their jobs.''
The grinding Hastings offensive assault resulted in a mammoth time of possession advantage. The Broncos had the ball for just over 40 minutes and 84 offensive plays. Briar Cliff had the ball for just under 20 minutes and the Chargers launched just 47 plays.
The Broncos of Coach Paul Mierkiewicz rang up 23 first downs, 16 via the rush, to just 10 total for the Chargers.
Strittmatter had issued a challenge for his own offensive linemen to step up to the plate and bat around opposing defenders, but it didn't happen.
BC rushed the ball 19 times for only 15 yards and one first down on the ground. Sacks resulted in 36 negative yards, but Adam Robards did collect 29 yards on nine carries.
The Chargers scored first on Lane Claussen's 18-yard pass to Roger Sandau, but Jason Enright's extra point kick failed.
"Something like that (missed extra point) works on your mind,'' groused Strittmatter. "A team like ours can't afford mental mistakes like that.
"I'm darn proud of this team, but we didn't execute. We'll get back after it, though. I can't fault desire and dedication in any way.''
Despite the fact Hastings was slinging the beef in a manner that would make any line foreman at IBP proud, Briar Cliff junior linebacker Joe Melton wasn't buying into the "bigger is better'' offensive theory of the visitors.
"I've never been one of the biggest guys on the football field,'' said the 6-foot, 245-pound junior linebacker and co-captain from Boone, Iowa. "It comes down to heart and I believe our football team has miles and miles of heart.
"We played our guts out in this game, but it didn't work out. Sure, we had a few mistakes out there, but I thought we deserved to win.
"We'll take a little time and let this hurt, as it should, but we'll go back to work on Monday and get ready to play Bethany.''
With 4:01 left in the game and Hastings holding what appeared to be a comfortable 24-13 lead, Melton blocked a Bronco punt and undersized 5-8, 180-pound sophomore linebacker Michael Loving out of Lawton-Bronson High School scooped up the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
"We had a play on and Joe made the block,'' said Loving. "At that point we still felt we were going to win the game.''
The Chargers were successful on a two-point conversion pass, but on their final offensive possession, quarterback Claussen was intercepted on first down with 2:12 remaining and a stirring comeback bid fizzled out.
The Chargers led 6-3 at halftime, but touchdown runs by Mansfield and Grummert and a TD pass from Dayton Edwards to Jordan Folkers, all in the third quarter, put the game just out of the BC reach.
The Broncos caught a break on the TD pass when Folkers pushed BC defensive back David Willis out of the way to make a catch in the end zone.
BC's second TD came on a 36-yard pass from J.D. Lindsay to Michael Langfield with 6:33 left in the third quarter. It was Lindsay's first pass of the season, but his second throw was intercepted and Claussen returned to the fray.
The Chargers played without starting quarterback Kyle Gerdes, sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury.
Briar Cliff journeys out of the GPAC next Saturday for a home game with Bethany, Kan., and Hastings (2-0, 1-0) returns to loop play in a game with Dana.
Hastings 24, Briar Cliff 21
Hastings 3 0 21 0 24
Briar Cliff 6 0 7 8 21
First Quarter
Briar Cliff: Roger Sandau 18 pass from Lane Claussen (Jason Enright kick) 3:17
Hastings: FG Gavin Rodriquez 21, 0:13
Third Quarter
Hastings: Maurice Mansfield 21 run (Rodriquez kick) 11:48
Hastings: Jordan Folkers 15 pass from Dayton Edwards (Rodriquez kick) 6:53
Briar Cliff: Michael Langfield 36 pass from J.D. Lindsay (Josh McKean kick) 6:33
Hastings: Nick Grummert 16 run (Rodriquez kick) 0:58
Fourth Quarter
Briar Cliff: Michael Loving 0 blocked punt return (Langfield pass from Claussen) 4:01
TEAM STATISTICS
Hastings BCU
First downs 23 10
Rushes-yards 64-287 15-19
Passing yards 105 192
Passes 8-20-0 15-28-3
Total plays-yards 83-392 47-207
Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-yards 12-91 5-45
Possession time 40:04 19:56
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Hastings Maurice Mansfield 30-174, Nick Grummert 31-128, Taylor Spencer 1-2, Dayton Edwards 2-(-17). Briar Cliff Adam Robards 9-29, Andrew Prohaska 2-19, David Smith 2-(-3), Joe Wanning 2-(-4), Claussen 4-(-26).
PASSING: Hastings Dayton Edwards 8-20-0105. Briar Cliff Lane Claussen 14-25-2156, J.D. Lindsay 1-2-136, Adam Robards 0-1-00.
RECEIVING: Hastings Jordan Folkers 4-42, Maurice Mansfield 3-19, Matt Ward 1-44. Briar Cliff Roger Sandau 5-51, Shawn Pearson 4-77, Andrew Prohaska 2-8, Michael Langfield 1-36, Jason Christophersen 1-8, Joe Wanning 1-7, Zach Holtgrewe 1-5.
TACKLE LEADERS
(Solo-AssistTotal)
Hastings: Chris Streeter 5-16, Justin Conley 3-36, Tim Haug 5-05, Jeff Klug 4-15, Matt Hildebrand 1-45, Mike Cardnas 2-25, Brian Trader 2-02, Gretg Steffes 2-02, Taylor Spencer 2-02, Devorian Burns 1-12.
Briar Cliff: Billy Mousel 3-912, Eric Bolin 4-711, David Willis 5-510, Joe Melton 4-610, Jarrod Makovicka 5-27, Ryan Prather 5-27, Travis Schumacher 2-46, Bandon Franklin 2-46, Jonathan Smith 4-15, Taylor Schumacher 2-35, Calvin Christophersen 1-45, Michael Loving 2-24, Chris Lammers 0-44, Richard Miller 3-03.
But the Charger coach's future Great Plains Athletic Conference football wish list might include the acquisition of a herd of beefy O-linemen that trample the Great Plains like the dreadnaughts at Hastings College.
"Hastings, with its size, eventual wore us out in the final quarter,'' said Strittmatter after the Broncos kicked and stomped their way to a 24-21GPAC victory before a crowd of 1,346 at Memorial Field Saturday afternoon.
The game was close and that was the good thing, of course.
The Chargers, though, in falling to 0-2 in conference play, didn't pass muster in most other statistical categories.
An offensive line featuring Evan Klanecky (6-4, 315), Zach Lamphere (6-1, 281), Brandon Jacobitz (6-4, 317), Eddie Krajicek (6-1, 270) and true freshman Sam Icenogle (6-1, 327) allowed Bronco running backs Maurice Mansfield and Nick Grummert, another true freshman, to combine for 302 of Hastings' 307 rushing yards.
Mansfield, shifted from wide receiver to tailback in an opening 13-9 win over Dakota State because starter Dan Bargen is sidelined with an injury, rushed for 174 yards on 30 totes.
Grummert, a Nebraska Class B first-team all-stater at Beatrice as a senior, tacked on 124 yards on 31 carries.
"Running behind our offensive line is a luxury,'' said Grummert, who didn't get a carry in the opening game. "They're huge and physical and take a lot of pride in their jobs.''
The grinding Hastings offensive assault resulted in a mammoth time of possession advantage. The Broncos had the ball for just over 40 minutes and 84 offensive plays. Briar Cliff had the ball for just under 20 minutes and the Chargers launched just 47 plays.
The Broncos of Coach Paul Mierkiewicz rang up 23 first downs, 16 via the rush, to just 10 total for the Chargers.
Strittmatter had issued a challenge for his own offensive linemen to step up to the plate and bat around opposing defenders, but it didn't happen.
BC rushed the ball 19 times for only 15 yards and one first down on the ground. Sacks resulted in 36 negative yards, but Adam Robards did collect 29 yards on nine carries.
The Chargers scored first on Lane Claussen's 18-yard pass to Roger Sandau, but Jason Enright's extra point kick failed.
"Something like that (missed extra point) works on your mind,'' groused Strittmatter. "A team like ours can't afford mental mistakes like that.
"I'm darn proud of this team, but we didn't execute. We'll get back after it, though. I can't fault desire and dedication in any way.''
Despite the fact Hastings was slinging the beef in a manner that would make any line foreman at IBP proud, Briar Cliff junior linebacker Joe Melton wasn't buying into the "bigger is better'' offensive theory of the visitors.
"I've never been one of the biggest guys on the football field,'' said the 6-foot, 245-pound junior linebacker and co-captain from Boone, Iowa. "It comes down to heart and I believe our football team has miles and miles of heart.
"We played our guts out in this game, but it didn't work out. Sure, we had a few mistakes out there, but I thought we deserved to win.
"We'll take a little time and let this hurt, as it should, but we'll go back to work on Monday and get ready to play Bethany.''
With 4:01 left in the game and Hastings holding what appeared to be a comfortable 24-13 lead, Melton blocked a Bronco punt and undersized 5-8, 180-pound sophomore linebacker Michael Loving out of Lawton-Bronson High School scooped up the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
"We had a play on and Joe made the block,'' said Loving. "At that point we still felt we were going to win the game.''
The Chargers were successful on a two-point conversion pass, but on their final offensive possession, quarterback Claussen was intercepted on first down with 2:12 remaining and a stirring comeback bid fizzled out.
The Chargers led 6-3 at halftime, but touchdown runs by Mansfield and Grummert and a TD pass from Dayton Edwards to Jordan Folkers, all in the third quarter, put the game just out of the BC reach.
The Broncos caught a break on the TD pass when Folkers pushed BC defensive back David Willis out of the way to make a catch in the end zone.
BC's second TD came on a 36-yard pass from J.D. Lindsay to Michael Langfield with 6:33 left in the third quarter. It was Lindsay's first pass of the season, but his second throw was intercepted and Claussen returned to the fray.
The Chargers played without starting quarterback Kyle Gerdes, sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury.
Briar Cliff journeys out of the GPAC next Saturday for a home game with Bethany, Kan., and Hastings (2-0, 1-0) returns to loop play in a game with Dana.
Hastings 24, Briar Cliff 21
Hastings 3 0 21 0 24
Briar Cliff 6 0 7 8 21
First Quarter
Briar Cliff: Roger Sandau 18 pass from Lane Claussen (Jason Enright kick) 3:17
Hastings: FG Gavin Rodriquez 21, 0:13
Third Quarter
Hastings: Maurice Mansfield 21 run (Rodriquez kick) 11:48
Hastings: Jordan Folkers 15 pass from Dayton Edwards (Rodriquez kick) 6:53
Briar Cliff: Michael Langfield 36 pass from J.D. Lindsay (Josh McKean kick) 6:33
Hastings: Nick Grummert 16 run (Rodriquez kick) 0:58
Fourth Quarter
Briar Cliff: Michael Loving 0 blocked punt return (Langfield pass from Claussen) 4:01
TEAM STATISTICS
Hastings BCU
First downs 23 10
Rushes-yards 64-287 15-19
Passing yards 105 192
Passes 8-20-0 15-28-3
Total plays-yards 83-392 47-207
Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-yards 12-91 5-45
Possession time 40:04 19:56
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Hastings Maurice Mansfield 30-174, Nick Grummert 31-128, Taylor Spencer 1-2, Dayton Edwards 2-(-17). Briar Cliff Adam Robards 9-29, Andrew Prohaska 2-19, David Smith 2-(-3), Joe Wanning 2-(-4), Claussen 4-(-26).
PASSING: Hastings Dayton Edwards 8-20-0105. Briar Cliff Lane Claussen 14-25-2156, J.D. Lindsay 1-2-136, Adam Robards 0-1-00.
RECEIVING: Hastings Jordan Folkers 4-42, Maurice Mansfield 3-19, Matt Ward 1-44. Briar Cliff Roger Sandau 5-51, Shawn Pearson 4-77, Andrew Prohaska 2-8, Michael Langfield 1-36, Jason Christophersen 1-8, Joe Wanning 1-7, Zach Holtgrewe 1-5.
TACKLE LEADERS
(Solo-AssistTotal)
Hastings: Chris Streeter 5-16, Justin Conley 3-36, Tim Haug 5-05, Jeff Klug 4-15, Matt Hildebrand 1-45, Mike Cardnas 2-25, Brian Trader 2-02, Gretg Steffes 2-02, Taylor Spencer 2-02, Devorian Burns 1-12.
Briar Cliff: Billy Mousel 3-912, Eric Bolin 4-711, David Willis 5-510, Joe Melton 4-610, Jarrod Makovicka 5-27, Ryan Prather 5-27, Travis Schumacher 2-46, Bandon Franklin 2-46, Jonathan Smith 4-15, Taylor Schumacher 2-35, Calvin Christophersen 1-45, Michael Loving 2-24, Chris Lammers 0-44, Richard Miller 3-03.
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