By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The Goessel Bluebirds lost to Solomon 54-36 on Friday at Goessel in a high-scoring game that saw the teams combine for 13 touchdowns.

It looked like the Bluebirds would succumb to the 45-point mercy rule, but Goessel chopped a 42-point deficit down to 12 with four third-quarter touchdowns.

Solomon scored twice in the first quarter before Josh Schmidt connected with Trevor Beisel for a 19-yard score. In the second quarter, all the scoring came from the Gorillas with four touchdowns leading to a 40-6 lead at the half.

It was breakaway football in the third period, as Solomon ran 43 yards for another touchdown.

Less than 30 seconds later, Schmidt darted 43 yards for a Bluebird score. A few minutes later, Schmidt hit Jordan Griffin for a 40-yard strike and Miguel Guerrero carried for the extra points.

Still in the third period, Beisel found daylight and sprinted 66 yards for another Bluebird touchdown and again Guerrero carried for the extra points. With 28 seconds remaining in the quarter, Schmidt broke away from the pack for a 58 yard score, and the Bluebirds trailed Solomon by only 12 points, 48-36.

It was a defensive battle in the fourth period, with Solomon scoring the only touchdown to close out the 54-36 win.

Defensively, lineman Kenny Hammond was credited with 10 tackles, Schmidt 8.5, Guerrero 6.5, Zach Zogleman and Beisel with 5.5 tackles each. Dylan Lindeman came up with the only interception for the Bluebird’s defense.

Goessel’s offense amassed 455 yards with 313 on the ground and 142 yards passing.

Goessel is now 2-1 for the season with their next contest at Peabody on Friday.