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By Cynthia Scott
Injuries, turnovers and one very tough opponent were too much for the Rush City Tigers to overcome in their Oct. 1 loss to the Braham Bombers, 50-12.
The game, played at near freezing temperatures, was Brahamís homecoming.
Starting running back Mackenzie Johnston sat out most of the game with a hamstring injury and starting center Patrick Blatz did not play due to a rib injury.
Miscues by both teams dominated the start of the game.
On the third play of the game Rush City fumbled away the ball, and Braham recovered. Two plays later Braham returned the favor with a fumble that, Rush City recovered. Two plays later Rush City again fumbled, but the Tigers recovered.
Both teams settled down midway through the quarter, with Braham scoring first with 5:36 left on a 4th down and 10 pass from quarterback Josh Vaughn to Caleb Flynn. The extra point was good.
Brahamís swarming defense forced the Tigers into a 3-and-out on the ensuing drive. But, after a Tiger punt, Braham again fumbled and Rush City recovered the ball on their own 40 yard line, setting up the Tigersí first score on a Tim Allerton run with 20 seconds left in the quarter. The extra point failed, making the score 7-6.
Rush City kept the game close during the first half of the second quarter, mounting an impressive drive after falling behind 13-6 on a 22 yard run by Brahamís Alex Bendicksen.
The Tigers racked up four consecutive first downs, three of them on passes from Jacob Bosman to Jeff Jennings and Adam Best. Tim Allerton scored his 2nd touchdown on a 2 yard run with 7:30 left in the second quarter. The extra point attempt failed, and the Tigers trailed 13-12.
Thatís when the bottom began to fall out for the Tigers.
The Bombers came right back after the Tigersí second TD, scoring on a 20 yard run by Brandon Jokinen to make the score 20-12. Rush City fumbled and Braham recovered on the next possession, setting up a touchdown and 2 point conversion with 4:42 left in the quarter.
Down 28-12, the Tigers got a break on their next drive when a Bomber penalty gave them a first down on the Braham 34. But Braham intercepted a Jacob Bosman pass, scoring a touchdown and a 2 point conversion to make the score 36-12, where it stood at halftime.
The Bombers scored 14 points in the second half on a pass to Isaiah Dahlman and a 5 yard run by Bendicksen.
Coach Gary Wendorf praised his teamís tough play. Offensive standouts included Allerton, with 2 touchdowns and 67 yards rushing; Jeff Jennings, who had 3 rushes for 36 yards and 2 pass receptions for 35 yards; Jacob Bosman, who threw for 104 yards; and Adam Best, who caught 3 passes for 45 yards.
Defensive standouts were Dan Gamache, who played hurt; Jeremy Marty with 6 solo tackles; and Ben Cook, who filled in at tackle.
Up next: at Lutheran of Minneapolis, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.
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