We need this week to get behind us. We need to get past it. Hang in there, we're almost through it.
In a key matchup of Mid-Northwest Gold District teams, the B-B-E Jaguars football team struggled for nearly the entire game in what ultimately was a 39-16 loss. It was a far cry from the nailbiter loss that went down to the wire last week.
I've got a lot to say, and I'm going to change things up a bit and tape now rather than tape tomorrow or 3 or 4 nights from now. I need to get it off my chest. Our kids have been through a lot here in the past 9 days. It's only been 9 days. That is not a lot of time. Some things are tough to deal with, but some things are wrong, and you must speak out about it. Stay tuned - you'll see what I'm getting at.
Bright spots:
There were many bright spots in the ugly loss. I don't want them to get overshadowed by all the "extra" taking place now. In one of the most spectacular things I've seen as a football fan, watching defensive lineman Eli Wold scoop up a loose pig skin and return it for a 54-yard touchdown in the first quarter was a sight to behold! He rumbled and rumbled and ran for his life. Unstoppable! Kameron Hiltner caught the conversion pass, and B-B-E led 8-0.
Here's a video from the first quarter that includes Eli's touchdown:
Unfortunately for the Jaguars...
The Braves responded with 26 unanswered points before the Jaguars mounted a scoring drive in the third quarter. Kaden Kollman caught a 33-yard touchdown pass, and Taylor Pieper caught the conversion pass for a 26-16 deficit.
Two fourth quarter Benson touchdowns sealed B-B-E's fate, however, sending them to 3-3 overall.
I am so proud of our coaches and players. They fought and fought and fought. They make me proud. I am also proud for what I see from them off of the playing field. Consider the pride I have when I see a popular football player working the high school cafeteria at lunch time, almost going table to table talking to middle school kids. Offering pick-me-ups. Think about that! The character and kindness of a 12th grade varsity football player providing encouragement to younger kids in the lunch room. It is special. We can all be proud as we continue to stand behind our kids and rally as a community around the Levi Adrian family.
The Jaguar touchdowns came with Wold's fumble recovery in the first quarter with 7:36 left on the clock. In the third quarter, with 6:45 left, the Jaguars started their 6th offensive series on their own 20. Receptions by Kaden Kollman and Lance Radermacher brought them to the 49. Taylor Pieper's 13-yard reception was followed two plays later by a 5-yard run by Aiden Mueller. On third-and-5, Kollman caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Mueller. Pieper's conversion catch got the deficit down to 26-16 with 3:38 on the clock.
Some light game statistics:
B-B-E had 202 total yards on 55 plays, while Benson had 347 yards on 60 plays. The teams had identical third-down conversion marks of 4-for-10. B-B-E converted one fourth down try, while the Braves made good on two such attempts. Sophomore Mason Douvier led the ground game with 42 yards on 7 carries. Kollman was the leading receiver with 4 catches for 59 yards. B-B-E's defense looked strong at times, and they racked up 8 tackles for a loss. However, they were simply playing defense for too large of a share of the 48 minutes.
What comes with the territory of being a reporter are things that often blow my mind. I do not see some things coming. Tonight was no different! I am just in awe at what went down. Ultimately, because it was a "He Said, She Said" situation - no fan was asked to leave the stadium. That doesn't mean I'm going to forgive the lie that sparked it all.
Here's my 6th sports show of the Fall 2025 season:
I've got a right to be mad about what I spoke about in the video. What I spoke about took place at halftime. My anger will ruffle feathers, but I won't tolerate lying. Lies can be deadly. I won't stand for it.
Saturday brings a Belgrade Fire Department event and the Hope Lutheran Church fall bazaar in Sunburg. Not to mention heavy watering in the garden! It is dry. On Saturday night, the Belgrade VFW hosts a steak and pork chop fry fundraiser from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Mid-Northwest Gold District scores on October 3:
Upsala/Swanville Area 52, Maple Lake 8
West Central Area 44, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 16
Ashby/Brandon-Evansville 34, Browerville 12
Area Week 6 football scores on October 3:
Eden Valley-Watkins 52, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 0
Holdingford 61, Melrose Area 26
Minnewaska Area 40, Sauk Centre 6
Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 38, Litchfield 36
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 20, New London-Spicer 7
