PAUL WYCZAWSKI of New Ulm is ruled down after short gain on a sweep play. No. 52 is cent Jim Wieland. Eagles beat St. James 14-0 Friday in homecoming (Photo by Art Hanson)

What more could you ask to improve on New Ulm High School’s 35th football homecoming game?

First and foremost, it was victory,14-0 over a game but, on this night, out classed St. James eleven.

And then there were all sorts of other goodies for the home town team and fans: Like a perfect October evening that was almost on the balmy side.

New Ulm’s defense certainly has to be a highlight as the Eagles gave the Saints only 43 net yards from scrimmage in 37 plays. Meanwhile, New Ulm’s offense gained 217 yards (33 under the pre-game goal of Coach Skip Davis).

A part time Journal employee, Marlys Forstner, reigned over homecoming as the 35th queen. And the first homecoming queen in NUHS history was among the fans in the stands.

The band under director Curt Iverson put on a good halftime show and the crowd of 1,500 loved it as much as the game.

COACH DAVIS was ecstatic about the defense.

“I can’t single out any individual,” he said after the game.”It was just one super effort by everybody.”

Commenting on New Ulm’s 4-4-3defensive stack, Davis noted that some coaches don’t like it, but he believes in it firmly. St. James had troubles blocking the four linebackers who had the majority of stops, but the front four also had their share.

Offensively, Davis felt running back Dohn Pagel would be the offensive player of the week if one were chosen for the team. Pagel ran hard, bulled his way for extra yards and picked his holes well as the offense ran for 153 yards and passed for 64 more.

The Eagles had success with the counter play which looked at times like a short inside reverse. It worked best to the right side of the line.

SPIRIT was sky-high for homecoming and the enthusiasm still ran strong after the game.

“I wish we could play Blue Earth right now,” said Davis. “We’re ready…’

The Eagles, now 2-1 in South Central play and 3-3 in all games, go to Blue Earth next Friday. The Bucs have been very tough on New Ulm the past decade.

Another thing that Davis liked was the “clean”‘ game. There was one five-yard penalty on St. James and two for 20 yards against the Eagles. Both sides hit hard and played hard,but they played it clean and the refereeing crew headed by Bill Griffiths of Mankato had an easy game policing the action.

NEW ULM’S first touchdown was set up by a pass interception by defensive back Tim Steinbach. The Eagles marched 74 yards in 10 plays,including two pass completions by Larry Guggisberg who was far off target in the early attempts.

Paul Wyczawski scored the touchdown on a 10 yard run. It was a pitchout from Guggisberg around the right end early in the second period.

Late in the third period, New Ulm started a 37 yard TD drive that culminated early in the last quarter. The score came on a freak play. Wyczawski fumbled at the St. James three, but alert blocking end Guy Tostenrud picked up the loose pigskin at the three yard line and stumbled over the goal line.

St. James had two first downs,both by passing. One came on the first series and the other late in the game. QB Paul Krech was under a hard rush all night and his running backs had trouble getting back to the line of scrimmage. It was New Ulm’s night.

New Ulm Daily Journal

Oct. 5, 1975