Goessel gallops over Norwich
By DELBERT PETERS
Contributing writer
Led by Sheldon and Brett Goerzen, Goessel took an easy gallop Friday past a coltish Norwich team, 66-22.
On Friday it travels to Hartford for a real horse race.
"Norwich was a very young team with only four seniors," said Goessel head coach Justin Coup. "Next week we go to Hartford which will be a challenge because they are loaded with seniors."
Before deciding how to harness Hartford, Coup took time in the winner's circle after last Friday's big victory.
"For the first game of the season, I was pleased," Coup said. "Our passing game was good tonight. We know we have some work to do on defense.
"Not bad for the first game!"
Goessel scored its first touchdown on a five-yard scamper by Brett Goerzen. He also caught Garrett Hiebert's pass for the extra point, giving Goessel a lead of 8-0.
After forcing Norwich to punt, Goessel took command when Hiebert connected with Sheldon Goerzen on a 19-yard scoring pass. Hiebert ran for the PAT, giving the Bluebirds a 16-0 lead.
But Goessel's kick-off was low and Norwich took it back 75 yards for a touchdown. The Eagles ran for two points, cutting Goessel's lead in half, 16-8.
With 3:33 left in the first quarter, Hiebert launched a pass to Brett Goerzen for a 39-yard touchdown with 3:33 to play in the first quarter. Sheldon Goerzen tore a pass away from a defender for the extra point, boosting the Bluebirds to a 24-8 first-quarter lead.
Norwich scored quickly in the second period on a 13-yard pass and a two-point conversion, bringing the Eagles back to within one touchdown, 24-16.
But Goessel pulled away when Sheldon Goerzen caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Hiebert. Jordan Voth set a key block to allow Travis Buller to score two more, extending the Bluebird lead to 32-16.
Goessel scored again after recovering a fumble on the next kickoff. Brett Goerzen dashed in from 10 yards. An excellent fake in the backfield left 225-pound senior Zach Frey wide open for a pass from Hiebert for the extra points.
Norwich marched the ball down the field and scored on a one-yard plunge, but the extra point was no good, making the score, 40-22.
As time ran out in the second period, Hiebert scored on a quarterback keeper. His conversion pass to Brett Goertzen gave Goessel a 48-22 halftime lead.
The pace slowed a bit in the second half, but Goessel's scoring continued, when Brett Goerzen came back to catch a short throw, snagged the ball at his knees, and then sprinted 37 yards for the score.
With a 54-22 lead, Goessel's defense turned stingy, led by Bubba Holder, Kurtis Duerksen, Jordan Voth, Grady Stultz, and Dustin Peterson.
On a spiffy double-reverse play, Austin Unruh handed the ball to Brett Goerzen, who handed the ball to Sheldon, Goerzen who went untouched for a 37-yard score. The kick failed, but the Bluebird lead had swelled to 60-22.
With the field filled with reserve players from both teams, Goessel's Travis Fensky ran 39 yards for a 66-22 lead.
In a scoreless fourth quarter filled with penalties, Nathan Amstutz led the team at quarterback and Kendall Voth, Tyler Dickerson, Cameron Stultz, and Wade Wilson all ran hard for gains.
After Friday's game at Hartford, Goessel travels to Wichita to play Trinity Academy at Cessna Stadium. The next home game is Sept. 22 against Flint Hills.
