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RC suffers 26-12 loss to open seasonFacing off against last yearís No. 2 ranked Class A team, Rush City fared well and held Norwood-Young America scoreless in the opening quarter Aug. 28. Unfortunately, Norwood was able to pick up 14 points in the first half and add 12 in the second for a 26-12 win against the Tigers in Rush Cityís home opener. Despite trailing 20-0 at the end of three quarters, the Tigers battled back in the fourth. Tim Karnick scored on a 4-yard run for 6, followed by a missed extra point kick from Tim Morris. Norwood was stopped on the 5-yard line, as Adam Best recovered a fumble with two minutes remaining in the game. Karnick then ran the ball 95 yards for his second touchdown. The two-point conversion pass attempt failed, for a 26-12 Norwood win. Karnick led the team with 154 yards rushing. Senior Brent Freeman started his first game at quarterback, looking strong and picking up 98 passing yards. Willie Barth was credited with a fumble recovery and Kevin Bengtson picked up an interception on Norwoodís first drive of the game. Head Coach Gary Wendorf said while it is a loss, the coaches are pleased with the effort. ìThe kids played real well,î he said. ìWe held them in the first quarter which is encouraging. Weíre happy with the way we played against a team of their caliber.î He cited needed improvement in turnover numbers, however. Rush City gave up three interceptions and two fumbles which resulted in touchdowns. ìWe made some mistakes, so we need to correct those and weíll be right back in the game,î Wendorf said. The team noticeably missed seniors Kellin Sybrant at quarterback and Andrew Kaufmann at wide receiver/defensive back. Both are out for the season; Sybrant due to a chronic knee problem that required surgery and Kaufmann after rupturing his spleen during the seasonís first scrimmage. ìOther players had to step up and fill their shoes,î Wendorf said. This weekís game will be a big one for the Tigers, as the team faces Great River Conference foe Aitkin on the road. ìThey have a big line, with 12 or 13 returning letterwinners, so it should be a good game,î Wendorf said. The two teams face off Friday, Sept. 5 ina 7:00 p.m. game. ©ECM Post Review |