By John George
The New York Mills Eagles had a great start to their Homecoming game Friday night, but things didn't end so well in a 17-13 loss to Browerville.
Mills scored twice in the first quarter, both on runs by Brendan Frost. The first came on a 60-yard run to put Mills up 7-0. After a Browerville field goal, Frost capped another drive with a two-yard run to put NY Mills up 13-3. They were still up 13-10 at the half after a second quarter TD by Browerville.
From there, costly turnovers prevented the Eagle offense adding to their lead.
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"We scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and then could not finish a drive the rest of the night," head coach Jon Kotaska said. "This game could have easily gone a different direction but costly fumbles killed drives deep in Browerville territory."
Mills had a total of three lost fumbles but quarterback Mike Buane didn't throw any interceptions.
The defense played well at times, forcing three turnovers of their own, but Browerville was able to inch their way back into the game until taking over the lead with a third quarter score.
"For the most part we played well defensively," Kotaska said. "But we had two drives where we played undisciplined football and they scored on both drives."
Frost finished the game with 137 yards on 20 carries and both Mills touchdowns. He also had 14 tackles and a fumble recovery. Alex Helmeke added 71 yards on 11 carries and led the Eagle defense with 15 tackles. Jordan Novak had 12 tackles and an interception.
Baune was just 3-for-11 to three different receivers for only 22 yards through the air.
Final games
The road doesn't get any easier for the Eagles as they close out the regular season. This week, Mills will host United North Central in their final home game (Parents Night). The Warriors (5-1) have won four straight, including a 39-0 win over Parkers Prairie last week. The Eagles won last year's game, 23-13.
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After a short week, Mills will hit the road for their regular season finale at No. 10-A Royalton on Oct. 17. The Royals (5-1) were undefeated so far this season before a 27-6 loss to No. 9-A K-M-S last Friday. Earlier this year, Royalton handed UNC their only loss, beating them 22-16 on Sept. 7. Mills won the season finale last year against Royalton, 46-14.
Friday, October 5
Browerville 17, New York Mills 13
Browerville 3-7-7-0--17
NYM 13-0-0-0--13
First Quarter
NYM--Brendan Frost 60 run (Andrew Frost kick)
B--FG
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NYM--Frost 2 run (kick missed)
Second Quarter
B--Crosby 5 run (kick good)
Third Quarter
B--Seifert 1 run (kick good)
NYM Browerville
1st Downs 11 13
Rush--yds 36-206 53-192
Pass yds 56 22
Return yds 52 31
Comp--Att-In 3-11-0 3-8-1
Fbles-lost 4-3 3-2
Pen-yds 5-30 1-5
FG 0-1 1-1
Individual Statistics
Rushing--Frost 20-137-2; Alex Helmeke 11-71; Baune 5 (-2).
Passing--Baune 3-11-0, 22 yds.
Receiving--Joe Hendrickx 1-15; Shaun VanDyke 1-5; Helmeke 1-2.
Defense--Helmeke 15 Tkl; Frost 14 Tkl, FR; Mitch Campana 14 Tkl; Hendricks 12 Tkl, FR; Jordan Novak 12 Tkl, Int; A. Frost 10 Tkl, FR.
Prairie Conference
North Conf. All
Otter Tail Central 3-0 5-1
United North Central 2-0 5-1
Parkers Prairie 1-2 1-5
Pillager 1-2 1-5
New York Mills 0-3 1-5
South Conf. All
#6-A K-M-S 2-0 6-0
Royalton 2-1 5-1
Browerville 2-1 3-3
Upsala/Swanville 1-2 2-4
Osakis 0-3 1-5
Section 6A Section All
#10-A LP-A 1-0 5-1
Mahnomen 0-0 4-2
Browerville 2-0 3-3
Osakis 1-1 1-5
Pillager 1-0 1-5
Parkers Prairie 1-1 1-5
New York Mills 0-3 1-5
Cass Lake-Bena 0-1 0-6
