The Austin Packers’ defensive secondary will face another tough test this week when the Packers square off against Mankato East Friday at Wescott Field.

Thursday, September 28, 2000

The Austin Packers’ defensive secondary will face another tough test this week when the Packers square off against Mankato East Friday at Wescott Field.

Both teams enter the contest with 2-2 records and both are coming off losses. Austin fell 28-25 at Owatonna last Friday, while East lost to Rochester John Marshall 37-8.

East will employ a two quarterback system, using seniors Ben Kaus and Joey Barr under center. Kaus is East’s main signal caller, but Barr has a stronger arm, giving East a deep passing threat.

"East poses a lot of threats," Austin coach Steve Knox said. "They have a lot of kids back from last year’s team. Most of their offense is back."

The Packers offensive backfield got new life last week as well, with the addition of seniors Isaac Knox and Asham Bell at running back. Those two combined for 119 yards on the ground, taking the pressure off of workhorse Jaime Zavala and quarterback Mike Fuhrman. Fuhrman had his best passing game of the season, completing 10 of 20 for 164 yards and three touchdowns.

Friday is Red and White night at Wescott. Everyone wearing Red and White will receive one dollar off admisstion at the gate.

Nicollet (4-0) at L/P (3-1)

L/P is home for the next two weeks against two tough opponents. This week in their homecoming game they play the undefeated Raiders, before Alden-Conger visits next week.

"These are two big games for us," L/P coach Mark Buntje said. "If we get a big win Friday it will build our confidence to go on a nice winning streak. Usually you play very well or not so well in a homecoming game. If we play well we will give Nicollet all they can handle."

Ben Mattick will be back in uniform although he will be playing with sore ribs. But Lyle Homecoming King Cole Hastings will still be in street clothes. Hastings will be ready to play next week against the Knights.

"If Mattick can make a difference in the game against Nicollet he will play," Buntje said. "If not we will hold him out to get completely healthy for Alden."

The statistical leaders for L/P at the halfway point are: Cory Ransom with 424 yards on 80 carries with seven touchdowns, he also has one touchdown on an interception return; Danny Greibrok is 19-38 for 226 yards and three touchdowns passing; Phil Halbach has caught 11 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns, Brian Helle has 29 solo tackles and 13 assists plus two fumble recoveries, Jeff Austin has two interceptions and one fumble recovery, and Jared Koopal has two interceptions.

"Greibrok has also made a real difference on defense," Buntje said. "I don’t think St. Clair would have scored on us in the first game if I had Danny in at defensive end. He just enjoys playing football."

LeRoy-Ostrander (4-0) at Grand Meadow (3-1)

A young Grand Meadow squad should be the stiffest defense that the fourth ranked Cardinals have faced this season. Last week the Superlarks pitched a 22-0 shutout in their homecoming game against St. Clair.

For the fourth straight week the Big Red football team scored more than 50 points, getting 45 in the first half of a 51-8 win over the Alden-Conger Knights last week.

Looking to stop the Cardinals one-two offensive punch of Eric Kottschade up the middle and Ben Adams around the end will be Grand Meadow linebackers Adam Turgeon and DJ Morrow. Turgeon and Morrow combined for 27 tackles last week against St. Clair.

Southland (4-0, 3-0) at Houston (0-4, 0-3)

The Rebels are in a three-way tie at the top of the eight-team Southeast Conference heading into this Saturday’s contest with the Houston Hurricanes.

A tough-as-nails defense and rushing attack led the Rebels to a 28-6 win over Mabel-Canton with Todd Osmondson leading the way on offense with two touchdowns.

Houston lost 39-12 last week at Fillmore Central.

Blooming Prairie (3-1) at JWP(0-4)

The Awesome Blossoms had a big defensive game last week in their 14-7 win over United South Central, including five interceptions.

This week the ball hawking Blossoms look to take it to the Bull Dogs to keep pace in the Gopher Valley Conference. Last week JWP lost 39-12 to NRHEG. The Panthers are also 3-1 in the Gopher as is Martin County West.

Pine Island (0-4, 0-3) at Hayfield (3-1, 0-1)

The Vikings Hiawatha Valley League Gold Division schedule began in Pine Island last week. They lost to the Byron Bears 28-14. (Byron’s football field is under construction this year.) Meanwhile the Panthers were losing to the Cotter Ramblers 27-16 in Winona.

Hayfield will be playing its final four games in Dodge County this year. They have three home games and an October 6th date with Triton in Dodge Center.

Triton, Byron, and Winona Cotter lead the way in the Gold Division with opening week Conference wins.