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| SUMMIT PHOTO BY CHRIS TODD
At right, Waldorf’s Darrell Stephens hauls in a pass while taking a big hit from a Luther player during the Warriors loss at Bolstorff Field Saturday. |
Warrior offense sputters in loss to LC
By Chris Todd
Of the Summit
FOREST CITY - Yards were tough to come by for both the Waldorf and Luther College football teams here Saturday afternoon at Bolstorff Field.
Luther built just a 10-0 lead at halftime, but scored 21 third quarter points and came away 21-0 winners over the struggling Warriors.
“We've got to do a better job of controlling the offense and moving the ball,” said Waldorf coach Greg Youngblood, whose team dropped to 1-6 with the loss.
“Defensively, I thought we did a good job for the most part, but had a tough third quarter. It was a combination of us wearing down because our defense had been on the field so much, but I also think we let up a little bit and let them get their running game established.”
The Warriors were stifled by the Luther defense, finishing with 81 yards rushing on 31 attempts. The Norse pass defense limited Waldorf to just 23 yards passing. Youngblood knows 73 yards of total offense just won't get the job done.
“Their defensive front did a good job of confusing us with some of their schemes,” Youngblood said. “We also have to do a better job as coaches in preparing our kids.”
A tight first half which saw Luther take a 10-0 lead into the lockeroom after two quarters turned into a more lopsided game in the third quarter.
The Norse tightened things up front at the start of the third quarter and substituted its short passing game for a punishing ground game that saw success in the form of three touchdowns.
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
“They did a good job blocking us in the third quarter,” Youngblood said. “We played good defense for the most part, but the bottom line is that you have to play well for four quarters if you want to win games.”
The Norse took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter after Ryan Monroe capped a 17-play, 83-yard drive with an eight-yard scoring run.
Once in the first quarter and again in the second frame, Luther return men fumbled punts, giving the Warriors good field position that the Luther defense wouldn't allow them to take advantage of.
“We've just got to be able to move the football better than we did,” Youngblood said.
In the second quarter, Luther kicker Jordan Grimm connected on a 35-yard field goal to make it 10-0, a lead that stood up until halftime.
The Norse came out strong in the third quarter, scoring three times during the frame.
Two minutes, 28 seconds into the quarter, Luther went up 17-0 after Monroe ran in from 24-yards out and Grimm made the extra-point kick. Luther used just three plays to take advantage of good field position, which saw them start the drive on the Waldorf 39.
Three minutes later, the Norse marched 47 yards on just three plays before Monroe scored on another long run, this one from 25 yards out.
With 3:51 left in the third quarter, Luther scored again, as Monroe scored his fourth touchdown of the day on a five-yard carry. That drive took just five plays and covered 54 yards.
The Warrior offense was held to just five first downs all afternoon, and they hope to improve that offensive production next Saturday at Blair, Neb. in a road game against Dana College, 1-5.
“They've been struggling some this season like we have,” said Youngblood.
Youngblood added that Dana has had a tough schedule and features a senior quarterback who has broken numerous passing records at the school.
Story created Oct 14, 2008 - 16:18:53 CDT.
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