Bluejay Football
Bluejays Stampede Over the Central City Bison
By Emma Risinger
On Friday, October 6, Bluejay football claimed a 42-35 victory over the Central City Bison.
“I thought the boys gave a tough, gritty performance last Friday,” said Pierce’s head coach Darin Suckstorf. “We didn't always do things right but they kept finding a way to make plays. I was very proud of our seniors and upperclassmen staying positive on the sideline.”
In the first quarter, the Bison made a touchdown and a successful two point conversion, pulling ahead by eight points.
Following in the second quarter, Pierce’s Keenan Valverde made a touchdown with a kick that was good. Pierce also had a 54-yard touchdown pass by Champion White to Gavin Sullivan, and a PAT by Nils Røstad. The Bison then gained another touchdown with a failed two point conversion, and shortly after, an additional touchdown also with an unsuccessful two point conversion. Pierce then scored another touchdown, upon Caleb Newman receiving a 37-yard touchdown pass from White. Pierce totaled 20 points and Central City also had 20 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Central City landed another touchdown and a successful two point conversion. The Bluejays shortly followed with a touchdown by Deon Watts and a two point conversion. The quarter ended in another tie, each team having 28 points.
“[I] was really proud of our team and the physicality that we played with,” said Troy Hueber, Central City’s head football coach. “Our number one goal was to stop the run and we did that for the most part. Unfortunately, we had a few breakdowns in communication that resulted in some big pass plays.”
Ending in the fourth quarter, Pierce was on top of it with a 29 yard touchdown run by Valverde. The two point conversion, however, failed. The Bison made a touchdown, and the PAT was good. Pierce made the last score of the night, a touchdown by Valverde and had a successful two point conversion making the final score 42-35.
“We struggled coming out like we have the past few games. It was a back and forth game the whole time, but I’m glad we kept fighting throughout the whole game,” Valverde said.
Bluejay leaders in number of tackles included Fritz and Watts, both with five solo tackles each, as well as Brenden Bolling and White with four and three, respectively.
Players with the most passing yards were White with 227 yards.
As for outstanding numbers of rushing yards, Valverde led with 147 yards, White with 50, and Kaden Froehlich with 25.
Sullivan had a total of 93 receiving yards, and Watts had 66.
Pierce now holds a 6-1 season record, and post-season games are just a few weeks out.
Valverde continued, “We always tell all of the freshmen and sophomores that it goes fast, and the coaches always tell us. But you know, it’s already week eight. The time flew very fast, and the season is almost done, hopefully halfway over. I’m just glad we kept fighting and came through with a win.”
Pierce will play their next game at home on Friday, October 13, against the Boone Central Cardinals.
JV Football Taken Down by Norfolk Catholic
By Alanna McKeown
On Monday, Oct. 2, the Pierce JV football team went to Norfolk Catholic and lost with a final score of 35-8.
The Bluejays gained one touchdown by Turner Wolfe and turned around to get the 2-point conversion by Brock Collison.
Coach Grant Doerr says, “[We] struggled to get going early on, and we weren't able to recover.”
In the first quarter the score was 7-0 with Norfolk Catholic leading, while in the second quarter the score was 14-0 with Norfolk Catholic still up.
During the third quarter the score was 21-8 with Norfolk Catholic still up but Pierce got a touchdown, and finally in the fourth quarter the final score was 35-8 with Norfolk Catholic gaining the win.
Student athlete Chase Rasmussen “We played hard as a team but we could do better on offense.”
