By John George
Domination of the running game, both offensively and defensively, was the key to New York Mills 23-13 win over United North Central in Sebeka last Friday.
The Eagles (2-1) rushed for 265 yards on 4.7 yards per rush while holding UNC to a 2.1 yard average and 62 total yards on the ground.
"The defense rose up to the challenge and stopped their tailback and really did a nice job of holding him in check," head coach Matt Radniecki said. "The previous week he had gained 198 yards on the ground so we responded well to the challenge of stopping him this week. It was a total team defensive effort as we got to the ball the best we have done yet this year."
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Offensively, Jason Burg was his usual self, gaining 141 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns. But it was added threat of Brendan Frost on the ground that will help New York Mills down the stretch. Frost rushed for 111 yards on 14 carries and also ran fro a pair of two-point conversions. He also caught one pass for 30 yards and recorded 10 tackles on the other side of the ball.
"Brendan is quickly stepping up and becoming a very good running back for us," Radniecki said. "He gives us that 1-2 combination in the backfield.
"Our linemen won the line of scrimmage battle and if we continued to get off the ball well and keep getting better we will continue to have success on offense," Radniecki continued.
Burg started the scoring in the first quarter with a one-yard TD run. But UNC quickly tied the score with a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
The Eagles regained the lead on Burg's second touchdown on a two-yard run, but another big play, this time a 65-yard pass, brought UNC right back. The difference in the halftime score was Frost's first two-point conversion after Burg's second score, compared to a missed extra point by UNC after their TD pass.
After a scoreless third quarter, New York Mills put the game away on Burg's final score from two yards out.
"We have many things to improve on," Radniecki said. "Our pass coverage has got to get better and on special teams we gave up a touchdown on a kick return."
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The Eagles will have another tough challenge ahead of them this week. They will host Kurkhoven-Murdock-Sundburg at Smith Field Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. K-M-S (1-2) picked up their first win of the season last week, 25-13, over Browerville, who beat the Eagles 22-0 in week one. K-M-S had began the season with losses to Parkers Prairie and Otter Tail Central.
"The team though is working very hard and starting to come together as we reach the mid-point of the season," Radniecki said. "I am proud of the improvement we have made but equally excited about the potential that is still there to reach for us in our play.
Injury note
Starting quarterback Grant Cameron injured his wrist and is likely out for the season. Mike Baune will get the start against K-M-S.
