Timberwolves tackle SJEL Eagles

ST. JOHN - In the first conference matchup of the season, the Tekoa-Rosalia Timberwolves defeated the St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse (SJEL) Eagles, 18-6, on Saturday, Sept. 28, in St. John.

The Timberwolves move to 2-1 on the season, while the Eagles fall to 0-3.

"T-R showed up really well," said SJEL coach Kevin Armstrong. "They changed a few things up and did really well against us. Good luck to them and we're going to keep fighting."

On the opening drive, the Eagles marched to the Timberwolves 5-yard line, but the T-R defense stood strong and forced a turnover on downs. Late in the first quarter, Westley Bryan punched in a 2-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper.

At the end of the first quarter, the Timberwolves led, 6-0.

Early in the second quarter, the Timberwolves scored when Soren Braun caught an interception and ran in a 54-yard touchdown return.

The Eagles defense stood strong for most of the quarter, but their offense couldn't gain much momentum. At halftime, the score was 12-0 Timberwolves.

"Our goal was to play fast for four full quarters," Tekoa-Rosalia coach Loan O'Neill said. "The best part was our effort through four full quarters, kids not quitting and playing to the whistle and to play 48 minutes of football."

Halfway through the third quarter, the Timberwolves faced a fourth and 4 on the Eagles 20-yard line.

They got the first down and Bryan connected with Braun on a 15-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 18-0.

In the fourth quarter, the SJEL defense kept pressure on the T-R offense. The Eagles took over the ball on the 11-yard line and was primed to score its first touchdown, but a few incomplete passes forced a turnover.

"A big thing is a lot of the times defensively we had our backs to the wall," O'Neill said. "They were in the red zone a couple of times, and these kids are used to that. To see them battle and fight was awesome."

With 1:22 remaining in the game, the Eagles stifled the Timberwolves shutout. Jeff Mackey caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Joe Hergert to give the final score of 18-6.

"That's our heart, that's who we are - the never give up," Armstrong said. "We're going to be biting your ankles and bashing you with everything we got regardless of the score. The last few weeks we've proven that."

After a failed onside kick, the Timberwolves knelt the ball the rest of the game and came away with the victory.

For Tekoa-Rosalia, Bryan had 12 rushed for 47 yards and a rushing touchdown. Seth Rericich had 11 rushed for 58 yards. Bryan went 8-of-16 passing for 56 yards and a passing touchdown. Braun had three receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown.

For the Eagles, Brody Fleming had 12 rushes for 53 yards and Mackey had five rushed for 32 yards.Mackey went 3-for-7 passing for 7 yards and Hergert went 1-for 2 passing for 50 yards and a touchdown.

"We have 11 kids on our side," Armstrong said. "They're playing both sides of the ball without substitutions and for an 8-man score of 18-6 with 11 kids on our team, we're doing something special."

The Eagles next face the Pomeroy Pirates on Friday, Oct. 4, for another conference matchup in LaCrosse. The Timberwolves will next play their Homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 4.