Dragons Shut Out Mora on Homecoming!

Pine City hosted Mora on Friday night.

The Mustangs came in with one win on the season, while Pine City was still searching for their first.

The Dragons came in with many believing, including themselves, they could and probably should be a least a 4-1 squad. Mora while only one win so far, certainly showed they were taking the right steps in their growth as a team.

The Dragons started with the ball first, and much like they have all season, had another good return on the kickoff. While the offense did find some success, they were forced to punt. Mora's first few plays looked promising, but a fumble on an option lead to the Dragons getting the ball back deep in Mustang territory. This possession, the Dragons were able to get on the board thanks to a 5 yard TD run from Evan Doenz to put the Dragons up 6-0. This would be it for the scoring for some time, while each team had their share of decent drives, it was the defenses making plays and big stops. Late in the 1st half, the Mustangs were looking to put a drive together and either tie the game or take the lead into half. But a backwards pass that, depending which side you were cheering for, was close was fallen on by Pine City and they again would take over deep in Mora territory due to a turnover. The Dragons needed only one play to score, a trick play which ended up in the hands of Mitchell Norton for a 32 rushing score, to put them up 14-0 at the half. Penalties and turnovers shot the Mustangs in the foot, which brought several promising drives to a screeching halt. But they would get the ball to start the 2nd half.

Mora had a fantastic kick return to start the 3rd, which set them up on the Dragons side of the 50. Sadly, this great field position would not prove to jumpstart their team. Pine City's defense came up with a stop on 4th to get the ball back. The Dragons turned to the time of possession offense, leaning heavily on the run, while also draining most of the clock before snapping the ball. This long drive would wind up in the endzone, after a one yard plunge from Tucker Johnsen put them up 20-0. The Mustangs would only get the ball on offense twice more the entire 2nd half. Their offense again showed some promise, but penalties played a major factor in them not being able to sustain a drive. Not only that, when the Dragons had the ball, they again took several minutes off the clock.

Mora had one final chance to erase the goose egg on the scoreboard late in the 4th. But the Dragon defense once again came up with enough stops to finish off the game for their first win of the season!

Both teams have plenty to look forward to, and continue to grow.

Pine City will play Esko on Friday, while Mora will play Hibbing.

Our Pine Insurance Player of the Game was Pine City's Mitchell Norton, who had a rushing touchdown and an interception!