Staff writer
Against powerful running teams, the Bluebirds struggled to match the scoring Friday night as they lost to home team Little River, 60-10.
Although the Bluebirds had possession of the ball for more minutes and earned more first downs in the game, Little River scored six times on runs more than 30 yards.
To begin the game, both teams stopped the other on the first possession. A Goessel fumble gave Little River good field position and the Redskins were the first to score. Little River scored again after stopping the Bluebirds on fourth down, and then scored for the third time following an interception.
The home team scored two more times in the first half making the score 34-0. The Bluebirds were able to move the ball but were intercepted at the 1-yard line. When Little River ran the next play, the Bluebirds scored as the defense tackled the runner in the end zone for a safety. Goessel scored again on a 9-yard pass from Neal Brubaker to Nic Buller. John Berkholz snagged a pass for the extra points as the Bluebirds narrowed the deficit, 34-10.
Little River scored again in the second period making the halftime score, 40-10.
In the second half, the solid defensive play of Little River stopped the Bluebirds with another interception and on fourth downs. Little River ended the game with three touchdowns in the third period making the final score, 60-10.
The Bluebirds were only able to accumulate 58 yards rushing but completed 211 yards through the air. Jake Smucker caught eight passes for 80 yards with Buller snagging five passes for 45 yards. Brubaker threw for 211 yards. Berkholz led the team with 8.5 tackles and Alex Ross was credited with 7 tackles.
The Bluebirds fall to 1-3 in district play and 1-5 overall. Friday will be a non-district game with St. John’s Military School of Salina at Goessel.