Relying on the run game and defense, the Firebirds left Winthrop on a high note before the team moves to the new field in Gibbon next week.

“[The defense did an] awesome job,” GFW head coach Pat Hentges said. “That quarterback [Gabriel Shimanski] is really coming along over there. I love how that last two minutes down here, we just held our own. They could have gave it up and moved on, but that’s not this team …

“We physically got to the right spots. We gave up a few things, we had a few guys that had gone down, not with anything serious, so we had to play some younger guys that stepped up.

The offense, meanwhile, soaked up plenty of clock, as there were several long drives from the Firebirds, including on that lasted over 10 minutes in the second half, ending in a Matthew Lee 1-yard touchdown run with 10 minutes to play in the game.

Staff photo by Ari Selvey Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop’s Cayson Gosewisch wraps up Mayer Lutheran’s Gabriel Shimanski for a sack during a Mid-South District, Gold Subdistrict football game Thursday at GFW Football Field in Winthrop.

“I really liked how our guys played physical,” Hentges said. “We knew this was going to be a physical game. Tim [Zupke, Mayer Lutheran head coach] is doing a great job with that program. He’s got athletes in the right spots … We made a few mistakes offensively, but these are some mistakes that are just from the shoulders up, and these guys are just passionate about doing things right and I know we’re going to clean it up.”

But the star of the game for GFW was undoubtedly Mason Ahlbrecht, as the senior came away with two total touchdowns and two interceptions.

“It feels good,” Ahlbrecht said. “I give all my thanks to my team and my coaches, my parents. They’re the biggest part.”

Ahlbrecht totaled 87 yards on the ground along with his touchdown to lead GFW. Also for the Firebirds, Garrett Stegeman had 71 yards rushing, and Owen Swenson had 56 yards rushing. Lee added 34 yards on the ground and a 2-point conversion. In total, GFW out-gained Mayer Lutheran 256-74 on the ground.

Defensively, Lee had eight tackles, two for loss, while Jose Oscar Faias Banda had six tackles, two for loss. Cayson Gosewisch had a sack.

Ahlbrecht’s first touchdown came in a 39-yard run in the first quarter in the Firebirds’ first drive of the game. His second came with his first interception, grabbing a bobbled screen pass and walking the remaining four yards into the end zone and increase the lead to 14-0 in the second quarter.

“I just saw it and I just thought I’d go get it and celebrate,” Ahlbrecht said. “It was fun. It was a good experience for me.”

Finally, his second interception on the drive before Lee’s touchdown in the third quarter, helping to seal the victory for the Firebirds.

Mayer Lutheran did have one drive to end the game that made it all the way to the GFW 4-yard line, but the defense stood tall, not allowing a score as the Crusaders turned it over on downs with less than a minute to go in the game.

GFW (2-1, 1-1) hosts Cleveland in the first game at the new Gibbon football field on Friday, Sept. 19 in its Homecoming game.

“We’ve been practicing hard and getting mentally ready and physically ready,” Ahlbrecht said. “We’re ready for the rest of the season for sure.”