The Dragons hosted Aitkin on Friday night for their home opener.
Pine City's first possession was set back by a penalty on the first play. The Dragons were unable to reach the first down line and punted. Pine City quickly held the Gobblers to a third down, but able to convert. The Gobblers marched the ball downfield and eventually scored, giving them an 8-0 lead. On the Dragons second drive, a fumbled snap would set them behind the chains. This help the defense make a stand and the Dragons were forced to punt again. As Aitkin got the ball back, they were driving inside Dragons territory. With the ball at the 5 the Gobblers went for a pass into the endzone. Jason Thieman picked off the pass and denied the Gobblers points. Pine City had new life and looked to tie the game, but one play saw a fumble get recovered by Aitkin at the Dragons 25. Aitkin took 3 plays before crossing the goal line, giving them a 14-0 lead. Pine City started to mount a drive to midfield, but a fumbled snap would push them into a 3rd and long. Aitkin snatched QB Jimmy Lindblom for a long sack on 3rd down. Then on 4th, the snap to the punter went over his head and he was taken down at the 10 yard line. Aitkin took two plays before scoring. After receiving the kickoff Pine City found a rhythm on offense. They marched their way onto the Aitkin's side of the 50. But a penalty set them back to the 38 yard line. A couple plays later the Dragons had to punt. The Gobblers got themselves into the redzone, but on 4th down the Dragons defense stiffened and gave the ball back to their offense. Pine City went into halftime down 22-0.
After half Aitkin continued to strive on offense and scored 20 more points. Late in the game some of the 2nd stringers for Pine City found their way into the game. Freshman Logan Kloecki would erase the zero off the board on a rushing touchdown, he would also convert the two. Aitkin would win over Pine City 42-8. But the Dragons have a lot of good things to build off of. Their offense can move the ball downfield quickly and efficiently, and the defense can stop anyone anywhere on the field. Their defense was especially tough inside their own 30 yard line.
The Dragons will travel up to Hibbing to take on the Bluejackets(1-1) on Friday.
Photo Credit: Four Seasons Photography
