Pine City hosted their homecoming game last night. The Dragons weren't quite sure if they would even play a game, as MLWR had to cancel their football season. There were a couple of teams they called but no dice. Then Paynesville answered the call to play and made the 107 mile trip. Paynesville, a Class AA team, had been to U.S. Bank Stadium the past three years competing in the state tournament. The Bulldogs, unlike many teams in Minnesota, average over 110 yards passing per game.
The Dragons started with the ball but went three and out on their first drive, handing it over to Paynesville. The Bulldogs ran the no huddle offense, and managed to score on a 27 yard pass. They didn't convert the 2 point conversion but led 6-0. The Dragons offense couldn't get much going in the 1st half, but their defense would shift momentum. Paynesville completed a pass in Dragon territory, but before going down the receiver had the ball stripped. Jeffrey Carlbom picked up the loose ball a zoomed past Bulldog defenders into the endzone. Converting the 2 point try, Pine City took a 8-6 lead. On the Bulldogs next possession they threw an interception, and Pine City took over on offense on the Paynesville side of the field. Pine City would give the ball back on a fumble, and Paynesville went down the field and scored. They lead 14-8 at half.
The Bulldogs would score three more times while holding the Dragons scoreless through the 3rd quarter and much of the 4th. Late in the final quarter, Pine City showed a lot of heart. Jimmy Lindblom chucked a 50/50 ball into the endzone. Carlbom, with two Bulldog defenders draped all over him, managed to come down with it. They would score the 2 point conversion. Paynesville got the ball back and ran out the clock, and grabbed the victory 34-16.
Pine City falls to 2-3 on the season. They will play their final regular season game in Aitkin next Wednesday with kickoff at 6pm.
Comments