First half lead for Sauk Centre on Homecoming night vanishes

At the end of the first quarter, Minnewaska and Sauk Centre were tied 6-6 on Homecoming night at O'Gara Field. The Lakers got their touchdown with 59 seconds on the clock in the first quarter. Trent Berscheit scored a two-yard run in the first quarter for the game's first points.

Sauk Centre then scored in the second quarter to take a 13-6 lead on a touchdown carry by Austin Nelson. They've earned nine first downs so far in the game. With 1:26 left on the clock, they're sitting with a 3rd-and-6 possession at midfield. The Lakers thwarted a pass attempt to force a fourth down, and the Lakers punted to the Lakers 19-yard line.

Austin Ostrander struck with an 81-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Beecher on Minnewaska's first play of their next drive. The ball was caught at about the Sauk Centre 45-yard line, and Beecher went the distance untouched to score with 58 seconds left before halftime.

Ostrander then called his own number and ran in the two-point conversion to make it a 14-13 Minnewaska Area lead. That score stood at halftime.

At Collegeville, Paynesville has a 16-0 lead over Melrose Area in the first half.

**In the second half:
Ostrander ran in a one-yard touchdown run with 4:37 left in the third quarter. Their extra-point attempt (2 points) failed to make it a 20-13 game.

With just over 11 minutes left in the game, the Mainstreeters trail 20-13. Hampering the cause is an 0-for-3 mark on third-down conversions in the second half so far.

**With 10:34 left, Ostrander scored from 21 yards out on a quarterback keeper. The PAT kick was successful, making it a 27-13 Lakers advantage.

With 5:46 left, Minnewaska Area completed a 10-play, 53-yard scoring drive when senior wide receiver Jack Schultenover scored from 10 yards out. The PAT kick made it 34-13. On the next series, Minnewaska Area began subbing down on defense.

Final score: Minnewaska Area 34, Sauk Centre 13.

Sauk Centre outgained the Lakers in total yardage in the first half. The Mainstreeters were limited to under 20 yards of second-half offense. Seth Otte was sacked three times. Minnewaska finished with over 400 yards of offense and almost 300 yards of rushing on 38 carries, while Sauk Centre finished with under 250 yards of offense. Minnewaska gained over eight yards per carry with their ground game.

Austin Nelson rushed for over 150 yards to lead Sauk Centre's offense.

A key stat: the Lakers attempted only two pass plays after halftime. It was a turnover-free game.

A great Homecoming week continues with more wins

The Mainstreeters girls' swimming and diving team defeated Staples-Motley/Verndale tonight on Parents Night in the home pool. The final score was 109-51, and the last two varsity events were scored as exhibition matches.

Coach Schreiner reported that two pool records were broken tonight. Tiana Molitor broke the 100 freestyle relay record with a finish of 55.39 seconds.

The 200 freestyle relay team of Hanna Waldhart, Sarah Nelson, Danielle Banal and Tiana Molitor broke that event's pool record with a time of 1:44.53.

Up next for the 8-0 swimming and diving team is a trip to Melrose Area next Tuesday with first place on the line in the West Central Conference. Both teams are undefeated in duals so far this year.

In a West Central Conference match, the Mainstreeters volleyball team defeated visiting Montevideo 3-0. Now 17-2 overall, the Mainstreeters travel to the tough Perham tournament on Saturday.

(Photo gallery) Sauk Centre vs. B-B-E volleyball

Here's the Herald photo gallery from Tuesday night's big volleyball match up between the Jaguars and Mainstreeters:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2013SPORTS/Volleyball/SC-Volleyball-vs-BBE-10113

Section 6A tennis pairings, Mainstreeters are fourth

1 - Osakis
2 - Minnewaska Area
3 - Melrose Area
4 - Sauk Centre
5 - West Central Area
6 - Benson/Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
7 - Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Upsala-Swanville Area
8 - Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta/Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley
9 - Parkers Prairie

The Mainstreeters girls' tennis team opens the playoffs at Fitness Revolution, formerly Gold's Gym, in Sartell next Wednesday. They face West Central Area at 9:30 a.m. If they win they likely will play Melrose Area in the semifinals, and that match would be at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The Section 6A girls' tennis championship is at approximately 12 p.m. at Fitness Revolution on Oct. 10.

Sauk Centre finished the regular season 12-9 overall. The WCA Knights are 9-3 overall.