By DELBERT PETERS

Sports writer

Goessel defeated one of the stronger teams in their district with a 12-6 win at Claflin. In the first quarter, Goessel scored first with a Neal Brubaker pass to Johnathan Berkholz for 39 yards. 

Goessel scored again in the second quarter when Cameron Stultz broke free for a 44-yard sprint. Although both defenses prevented any scoring in the third period, Claflin was able to get into the end zone in the fourth quarter. Several times Goessel threatened to score again but the game was finally decided when the Bluebirds recovered a Wildcat fumble with little time left on the clock. 

“Our defense saved us,” head coach Justin Coup said.

Although Goessel did put together 208 yards of total offense, it was defensive tackling that propelled the Bluebirds to victory.

Senior Weston Hiebert led the team with 15 solo tackles and eight assisted. Stultz had six solo tackles and eight assists.

Hayden Goerzen, Brubaker, and Stultz each recovered a fumble that killed Claflin drives.

Goessel is one of two teams in the district still undefeated at 2-0, with four district games to play. 

The Bluebirds will be at home with Stafford in another district game Saturday.