Austin to face Mankato ;br; West for the first time ;br; in three years

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 9, 1999

Its inexperience and speed vs.

Thursday, September 09, 1999

Its inexperience and speed vs. experience and size part II.

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After showing up a larger and more experienced Winona Winhawks football team 34-18 in Winona last Friday, the Austin Packers will see more of the same type of foe Friday night, but within the friendly confines of Wescott Field.

The Scarlets, who lost 17-14 to defending Big Nine champ John Marshall last week, are facing the Packers for the first time in three years, but will have a player who played in the last contest between the two schools, a that was game in which the Packers won by a few touchdowns.

All-state fullback/linebacker Eric Stenzel, a four-year starter, leads nine Mankato starters from last year’s squad, which finished 4-4 in the conference and 6-5 overall, making it to the section finals against Mankato East.

Stenzel, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound Division I prospect who has listed Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa State and Kansas as his school choices, was used a blocking back last week when the Scarlets ran for 166 yards against the Rockets.

Senior Chris Boyer, who led the Scarlets ground attack last week with 68 yards on 17 carries, returns after setting a school record with 1,280 yards last year.

Speedy wide receiver Chuck Wiest also figures to play a big role in the Scarlets attack after Winona completed 15 passes for 217 yards against the Packers.

Austin head coach Steve Knox said the Packers have worked on their passing defense all week long.

"It’s supposed to be one the strongest teams they’ve had in a long time." Knox said. "Its the type of team that demands a lot of respect. But if we can show the same intensity and determination that we had against Winona, it should be very interesting."

Mankato West head coach Rick Sutton said the Scarlets will need to protect the ball better this week after committing five turnovers (three fumbles, two interceptions) last week. The Packers forced four turnovers against Winona.