Oct 1

Written by: ngreditor
10/1/2009 6:00 PM 

Jays defeat West Boyd County

Coach Bill Mimick

Heading out for a three hour wait.

The Newman Grove Bluejay football team raised their season record to 3 wins and 1 loss for the season with a 50-14 victory over West Boyd County (former high schools of Butte, Naper, and Spencer).

The Jays, parents, and fans traveled to Butte for the 7:00 p.m. scheduled contest (118 miles). But a strange night was ahead. The contracted game officials from Burke, South Dakota, did not show. They went to Wagner, South Dakota, to officiate a game. After much confusion, West Boyd County called officials that were officiating the Lutheran High Northeast (Norfolk) and Atkinson West Holt game in Atkinson. The officials agreed to come after the game. During their second game of the night, the crew from the Atkinson- Wakefield area did a good job with the game and helping out everyone. The game got under way about 9:50 p.m.,as soon as the officials arrived.

The Newman Grove team, after warming up for the 7:00 p.m. scheduled start, had to wait around for the officials to arrive, and had to warm up again. The Bluejays (and their fans) took out their frustration and were ready to play, posting a 50-14 win.

Both squads were anxious to play and played hard. The Boyd County West Spartans were a much improved team from last year and made the Bluejays (who were without three players and two starters because of injuries) work hard for the victory.

Ben Jacobsen had a good night, scoring six touchdowns. Ben will be the first to point out the blocking help he had from teammates. Guards Tanner Bollig, Jakc Kaufman, Spencer Wallin; center Derek Wallin; ends Shane Farrier, Jesse Johnson, Matt King, and fellow backfield mates Sheldon Boschen and Troy McCuiston did a good job as a team opening the holes.

Fourteen Bluejays recorded defensive stats as they bent but didn’t break. There were quite a few team tackles. Defensive co-ordination coach Rudloff did a good job of preparing the defense after the injuries hit. Tanner Bollig, Shane Farrier, and Ben Jacobson recorded double figures in tackles. Matt King recovered a fumble, and Sophomore Alex Johnson had his first two interceptions in his career.

The game was played September 25, 2009, and was completed around midnight.

On Friday, October 2, 2009, the Bluejays will host 6th ranked team in class D-1, the Burwell Longhorns. The Longhorns have a 40 man squad, and defeated the Jays last year 50-16 in Burwell. The Longhorns beat Elkhorn Valley last week, 50-16 in Burwell. The Longhorns beat Elkhorn Valley last week 59-14. This is one of the games the Jays are pointing to this fall. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Copyright ©2009 Newman Grove Reporter