In the third quarter last night, Maple Lake took a two-score lead on the strength of a running game working on all cylinders. They led 19-6 after the touchdown, but fortunately, the B-B-E Jaguars football team blocked the PAT kick. That blocked PAT kick was a huge turning point in the game. Up until then, the Jaguars were battered unit. They could have folded, but they didn't! The last one-and-a-half quarters were special to watch.
The Jaguars outgained the Irish by two yards overall, 209 yards to 207 yards. Powering the running game were Braeden Michels and Blaine Fischer, each gaining 68 rushing yards.
Here's the official scoring summary:
First Quarter: B-B-E's Easton Hagen 59-yard interception return (PAT failed) 6-0
Second quarter: Maple Lake 11-yard touchdown reception (PAT good) 6-7
Second quarter: Maple Lake 6-yard touchdown run (PAT blocked) 6-13
Third quarter: Maple Lake 3-yard touchdown run (PAT blocked) 6-19
Third quarter: B-B-E's Easton Hagen 61-yard fumble return for touchdown (two-point conversion ran by quarterback Tanner Shelton) 14-19
Fourth quarter: B-B-E's Blaine Fischer 55-yard touchdown run (two-point failed) 20-19
**Here's video featuring the latter part of Maple Lake's final scoring drive:
I looked again at the archives, and I am now saying this was just the second win for B-B-E football at Irish Stadium. Their only other win at Maple Lake was in 2005 (which I mentioned last night). B-B-E football has taken some very tough losses at Irish Stadium when they were in the Central Minnesota Conference. Traditionally, Maple Lake has been one of the stronger football programs in the CMC and has made multiple state tournament trips.
Last night after Maple Lake took a 19-6 lead in the third quarter, the Jaguars had their backs squarely to the wall. It was gut check time. They could have folded, but they had one-and-a-half quarters left in the game to do battle. And battle they did...even after the misfortune extended to their next offensive drive. B-B-E's fifth offensive series of the game ended quickly, when they suffered a lost fumble on the first play from scrimmage at their own 25-yard line. Just around the five-minute mark, Maple Lake took over for their seventh drive of the game at the B-B-E 28-yard line. The outlook was bleak, with Maple Lake having just 28 yards to paydirt for a three-score lead. The Irish gained four yards on their first play, but they committed a chop blocking penalty on second down that moved them back 15 yards. That just may have saved the Jaguars' bid for a comeback. On second down with 21 yards to go, the Irish attempted a run play but fumbled the ball when their running back was tackled. Easton Hagen scooped up the pigskin and bolted to the end zone. I had him for about a 70-yard touchdown run on the fumble recovery. He arrived in the end zone with 4:10 on the clock. Quarterback Tanner Shelton ran far right on the two-point conversion to make the score 19-14. B-B-E was back in business!
More to come later on. Today is a nice day! Put your phone down and go outside!!! I'm heading out to the Danielson Farm in rural Sunburg to take in some of the live music playing there today. That was featured on page four of this week's Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper.
*More updates in a new blog post, including notes from the volleyball team's second day at the Southwest Minnesota Invitational in Marshall.
