Staff writer
Goessel jumped out to a lead, fell behind and then played a solid second half to win their home opener 38-24 against Wakefield.
Goessel’s quarterback, Josh Schmidt, found a hole in the line and then zigzagged his way 39 yards to the end zone on the first play from scrimmage.
Wakefield depended on their running game and the Bluebird defense of Kenny Hammond and Jordan Griffin made tackles in the Bomber backfield to force a punt.
The Bluebirds were unable to make significant yards on offense and Goessel led at the end of the first quarter 6-0.
Wakefield tied the game with 10 minutes to play in the second quarter. Goessel punted and then penalties against the Bluebirds helped the Bombers down the field.
Wakefield scored from 11 yards to take the lead.
Goessel called time out with 24 seconds to play in the half, but the designated play failed to materialize.
The Bluebirds called time out again with .5 seconds on the clock.
Quarterback Schmidt scrambled and heaved the ball down the left sideline. Trevor Beisel had to pause at the 10 yard line, waiting for the pass and then carried a defender into the pylon on the goal line with no time remaining.
The referees conferred briefly and called touchdown. Beisel carried the extra point and the Bluebirds led at halftime, 14-12.
The offensive line of Nathaniel Schmucker, Carson Sterk, and Griffin provided enough protection for Schmidt to hit Drew Lindeman on the right sideline for a 48-yard score.
Goessel’s defense forced another Bomber punt and Beisel caught a Schmidt pass and was heading for a 50-yard score when a Bomber defender stripped the ball and recovered the fumble.
After yet another Wakefield punt, Schmidt connected with Sterk in the middle of the field for a 61-yard score. The Bluebirds led at the end of three quarters, 30-12.
The Bombers scored early in the fourth quarter, and with only a 12-point lead, the Bluebird defense was called on to prevent a close game.
Miguel Guerro slashed in to tackle for no gain. Sterk, Griffin and Hammond converged in the backfield to throw the Bombers for a loss.
The Bluebirds were able to run time off the clock, but had to punt with 4:24 left in the game.
Wakefiled needed to score in a hurry.
With a Goessel defender bearing down on the quarterback, a pass floated in the air, well short of the intended target, and Schmidt gathered in the interception, returning to Bluebird territory.
Guerrero gained a lot of real estate and Beisel plowed his way into the end zone from 11 yards to give the Bluebirds a comfortable 38-18 lead with 2 minutes to play.
Wakefield scored with 20 seconds left in the game, but the Bluebirds won with a final score 38-24.
Goessel had 100 yards in penalties, but gained 121 yards rushing and 228 yards passing.
Griffin was credited with 5.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The Bluebirds will play at Centre on Friday.