South Barber derails Goessel's season
By DELBERT PETERS
Contributing Writer
Goessel's hopes for a run deep into the state playoffs were derailed by the defending state champion South Barber Chieftains Tuesday night.
South Barber 50. Goessel 40.
Goessel's season comes to an end with an 8-2 record. Brett Goerzen scored first for Goessel on a 23-yard sprint, but was unable to convert the two-point try. South Barber scored with 4:50 left in the quarter and made the two-pointer to lead 8-6.
Brett Goerzen scored again on a short run up the middle with 2:38 left in the first period, but the two pointer again failed. Goessel led 12-8 at the end of the first period.
With 10:18 left in the second quarter, South Barber scored on a quarterback sneak from one yard out. The two point try was good, giving them a 16-12 lead.
Garrett Hiebert put the Bluebirds in front again, scoring from one-yard, but the pass failed, leaving the score 18 — 16.
South Barber wound down the clock on its next drive, scoring on a 7 yard pass with just :39 seconds left in the half.
The two-pointer was good, giving the defending champions a 24-18 lead at the half.
On the first offensive play of the second half, South Barber threw a 49-yard touchdown pass, to lead 30-18. Less than a minute later, Goessel scored on a 36-yard pass play to Brett Goerzen. The extra point pass to Sheldon Goerzen made the score 30-26.
But that would be as close as the Bluebirds would get to the Chieftains. South Barber scored twice, pusing its lead to 44-26 before Goessel would score again in the fourth quarter.
"South Barber is one of those excellent teams in the state," Bluebird coach Justin Coup said. "The win over Claflin, ranked number one in the state at the time, as the highlight of a season filled with highlights.
Goessel scored again 8:36 remaining when Hiebert stretched the ball across the goal line at the end of an 11-yard run.
South Barber scored again before Brett caught a 35-yard pass from Hiebert with 5:10 to go. Hiebert ran in for two for the 50-40 final.
The Chieftains' rushing game outgained Goessel, 305-184, and 451-347 in total yardage.
Hiebert and Brett Goerzen combined for 156 yards running and all eight Goessel touchdowns
Hiebert both ran and threw for a pair, both touchdowns to Brett Goerzen, who too ran for a pair.
The Bluebirds' 300-pound nose guard William (Bubba) Holder, was disappointed with the loss.
"This was the best team we've faced all year," he said. "We tried to find their weakness, but this team did a pretty good job."
Losing 10 seniors likely means a reloading season is in store for the Bluebirds in 2007.
