×

Tauer leads Sleepy Eye past TMB

File photo by Steve Muscatello Sleepy Eye’s Landon Strong carries the ball during a recent game in Sleepy Eye.

SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye picked up a big 36-0 upset victory over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton on Friday in Southwest District, East Subdistrict football action.

Prior to Friday, the Indians (2-4, 2-3) were outscored 216-107 on the year. They turned things around in a big way on Friday, though, and shut out a TMB squad that had only lost once this season on Sept. 15 to unbeaten Wabasso.

“It was a nice win after last week,” Indians coach Corey Haala said. “It was pretty deflating against Wabasso — against a good team, we didn’t show up. Tracy’s a good team and they’re well coached. I thought we were probably pretty similar teams athletic wise and so on. Both teams with a few injuries that we’re having to deal with — so overall it was definitely a nice win for us. We still gotta clean up the penalties a little bit, but overall we’ll take the win and right now it’s just one game at a time.”

The Indians finished with 316 total yards, while the defense allowed just 115 total yards.

Sleepy Eye’s second drive of the game ended in a 1-yard touchdown run to the left by Carter Tauer, who finished the game with 14 carries for 127 yards and two touchdowns. The 2-point play after was good to put the Indians ahead 8-0 with 4:31 to play in the first quarter.

Tauer scored again in the second quarter on a 44-yard touchdown run with 11:30 before the half and the Indians went up 16-0 after the successful 2-point conversion.

Leading 16-0 to start the second half, the Indians didn’t slow down. A fumble recovery by Caleb Trebesch at the TMB 21-yard line gave the Indians great field position, which they shortly after took advantage of with a 1-yard touchdown run by Landon Strong to lead 22-0.

The Indians’ Nathan Walter recovered a squib quick on the left side of the field after Strong’s touchdown run and gave the Indians great field position at the TMB 42-yard line. A quick pass up the middle by Zachary Haala to Strong resulted in a 42-yard touchdown to give Sleepy Eye a 29-0 lead after the extra point in the fourth quarter.

Jacob Berg gave Sleepy Eye its final touchdown of the game on a run up the middle for a 9-yard score.

Strong had 16 carries for 90 yards and a rushing touchdown for Sleepy Eye. He also had two catches for 67 yards and a score.

Jacob Berg added 11 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown, while Blake Tauer added a sack for the defense.

The Indians’ defense was very effective and coach Haala was proud of the way his team handled the Panthers all game.

“Tracy definitely has big-play capability and we did a nice job tackling in space and limiting the big play,” Haala said. “They had some nice pass plays, but overall we didn’t give them the home run.

“Hats off to our defensive coach — coach Hoffmann — and our defense. Nice job on their part.”

Sleepy Eye plays at Springfield next at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today