Bluejay Football
Seven Years Later: Bluejays and Knights Battle it Out
By Jada Brummels
As fans pile into the stadium, one glance around tells them all they need to know. The stands are packed, the concession stands full, the conversation is loud, and every player shakes as they prepare to take on the longtime rivals, the Norfolk Catholic Knights.
Pierce and Norfolk Catholic have not played in seven years, making this game special for players and fans alike. In the end the Bluejays came out on top, winning 40-21, and making their record 6-0 going into next week’s homecoming game.
In the first quarter, the Bluejays started strong and pushed through Knight's defenses, scoring 14 points. From 17 yards out, senior Gavin Lubischer scored a touchdown, putting up the Bluejays' first points of the night. Then, junior Ethan Claussen snuck in from seven yards, making the score 14-0.
Then in the second quarter, Konnar Jones pushed 12 yards to get the third touchdown of the night and added another seven points to the Jays' score. Despite their low morale, the Knights found new energy and, with a 24-yard touchdown, put up their first points for the night. However, this energy did not last long as Pierce’s senior punter and tight end, Ethan Nordby, kicked the ball 56 yards, which handed the momentum back to the Jays. After getting the ball back, quarterback Brody Scholting threw a 15-yard pass to Nordby, who scored the fourth touchdown for the Jays, making the score 28-7 heading into halftime.
Going into halftime, the Bluejays remembered what they had practiced and how head coach Tyler Legate remarked that by focusing on one week at a time, they would continue to take off and succeed.
Coming out of halftime, the Jays knew that although they were winning, they had to keep playing fiercely. Baiden Neuhalfen, usually a defensive/full back and outside linebacker, took matters into his own hands and threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Weber, making the score 34-7 in favor of the Jays.
“If I could, I would freeze the moment of Baiden's touchdown pass to Lucas,” Jones, a running back and middle linebacker, states.
In the final quarter of the night, the Knights fought hard, and Kaden Nutzman had a one-yard rush to score the Knights' second touchdown, as well as James Headlee, who threw a 10-yard pass to Kordell Borgmann for their final seven points of the night. However, the Bluejays refused to give up, and senior Dylan Braun had a nine-yard rushing touchdown for the Jays, which completed the Jays' 40 points for the night.
Some outstanding statistics for the night included Jones, who had 117 rushing yards, and Brody Scholting, who had 207 total yards.
Come support the Bluejays at their next home football game vs. O’Neill!
