By John George
After a week where coach Matt Radniecki talked about eliminating mistakes and not committing turnovers, his New York Mills Eagle football team turned the ball over five times, two leading directly to scores, in a 22-0 loss at Browerville to open the 2006 season.
"We didn't take care of business," Radniecki said. "When you have five turnovers to their zero and eight penalties to their three it is hard to win a football game no matter who you are playing."
Browerville scored their first touchdown after recovering a NY Mills fumble at the Eagle 18-yard line. Their final score was set up by an interception at the Eagle 25.
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The Tiger offense didn't do anything fancy, they just ran their option over and over, totaling 285 yards on the ground.
"On defense we had a nice goal line stand," Radniecki said. "On two of the Browerville scores we gave them a short field."
Offensively,New York Mills just couldn't get it all together.
"We just couldn't get any kind of rhythm on offense and when we did a mistake or penalty seemed to hurt us," Radniecki said. "We were so close all night long. We had at least three passes that we got our hands on but just couldn't control and if we could have we would have long gains and in one case a touchdown."
Jason Burg led the Eagle offense, rushing for 80 yards on 15 carries. He also led on the defensive side of the ball, collecting 13 tackles.
The Eagles will open Smith Field on Sept. 8 when they host Osakis at 7 p.m. The Silverstreaks opened their season last week with a 42-14 loss to Otter Tail Central.
"They will be looking to get in the win column," Radniecki said of Osakis. "We just need to win the turnover battle and make a few plays and things will be okay for us."
Osakis knocked NY Mills out of last year's playoffs, beating them 44-6 in the 6A semifinals. The Silverstreaks went on to the State semifinals, where they lost to the eventual Class A Champ, Springfield, 34-17.
