Published: September 21, 2007 10:31 am         

Bobcats earn 21-0 win

By Kevin Rogers

Special to the Tuttle Times

The Bobcats got off to a slow start last Friday night against Luther, but eventually earned a 21-0 win.

"We made some mistakes, some penalties and some break downs on the line that contributed to the slow start," said head coach Jerry Wallis. "We also had three starting linemen out."

Those three missing linemen were all injured in practice prior to the game and that contributed to the mistakes due impart to Inexperience of the replacements.

The Bobcats faced another blow when middle linebacker Cory Tallent went out with a high ankle sprain midway through the second quarter Tallent's replacement, Seth Beers stepped in and played really well. Coach Wallis said he was really pleased with Beers’s performance.

"Seth came in in the second quarter when Cory was injured and really played well," said Coach Wallis. "He fit in really good and made some big plays that helped the defensive unit stay strong."

"The defensive line did their job, they closed well, stunted good, and the secondary didn't let anyone get over their head Everyone just did their assignments," Said Seth Beers. "We shut 'em out. If they can't score then we did our job."

Offensively, due to the mistakes and miscues, the Bobcats were unable to get things going until the fourth quarter.

"The mistakes and missed assignments are kind of frustrating, but you can't let it show," said Bees. "You gotta lift up the replacements and stay focused"

The offense did do some things good that pleased coach Wallis.

"Craig Hill bad another real good game catching the ball and Todd Baker made some catches too that helped keep some drives going," said Wallis.

"We started off slow but we kept going and going and didn't give in," said Todd Baker. "When Zane went for 65-yards it got us all pumped up and gave us more confidence."

Zane Mellinger's 65-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter ignited the Bobcats and turned things around.

"We changed things up a bit and west to the run game and that's where we found success," said Wallis. "Michael Aska had a great night both running and catching the ball." Aska had 160 yards running and another 50-yards receiving.

"Coach gave us a little speech and told us it was 'Our time to win' and just really drilled it into us that this was 'Our time,' So we got it together, went out there and gave it our all," said Michael Aska.

The Bobcats were able to capitalize on two turnovers and fumed them into quick points. Michael Aska scored on a 1-yard run and a 23-yard run both in the fourth quarter.

"It was an inside play," said Aska of his 23-yard touchdown run. 'I was surprised, the hole was so big I could've spread my arms out and still couldn't touch anyone. I saw number 77, Jonathan Mount push a guy out of the way and the hole just opened up. The line really pulled it together and started opening holes."

With the fourth quarter rally, the Bobcats were able to yell out of the slump and put 21 unanswered points on the board. That win improved the Bobcats to 3-0.

Next opponent on the schedule is Hobart this Friday night at home. Kick off is at 7:30 pm.