First the bad news.

Wednesday, October 06, 1999

First the bad news.

Monday’s loss to Mankato East was made extra painful because it was played on Monday, giving the Packers just three days to prepare for their next game. (Friday’s original game time was postponed because of blizzard-like conditions.)

Austin hosts its homecoming game Friday against Rochester Century.

"It’s really going to be tough to be ready for the next game," Coach Steve Knox said after the Packers’ 24-22 loss.

Now the good news from Monday’s heartbreaker that dropped the Packers to 1-4:

– Senior defensive back Nick Rohne returned to the lineup after recovering from a preseason separated shoulder.

Rohne was an immediate force in an Austin defensive backfield that held up well, holding East – a team that loves to throw – to under 100 yards passing.

But one communication breakdown, on East’s final score – a 25-yard pass – did cost Austin the game.

Not only did Rohne’s play stick out, but so did junior Asham Bell.

Bell was on Doug Espenson, the Cougars’ top receiver. Espenson caught five balls – all underneath – for 50 yards. But he was almost absent in the second half.

"Asham Bell did some good things for us," Knox said. "He hung right with No. 88 (Espenson)."

Bell and Rohne are both physical enough to help with run defense. In fact, Bell was in on 10 tackles, one behind team leader Mike Cunningham, another stellar d-back. (Senior linebacker Bill Nagle also was a part of 10 tackles Monday.)

– One Owatonna coach said Austin linebacker and fullback, Brian Heimer, was "the best player on the field" Monday. Heimer blocked a pair of extra point attempts, breaking through the East line like a runaway rhino each time.

Heimer, a lock-and-unload run stuffer, was a key figure in shutting down East’s running game.

– Austin QB Tanner Schieck threw four interceptions on Monday, but …

· One of those went through the hands of his receiver,

· One was caught by Steven Graves, who made a great break on the ball, cutting in front of, and taking the winning TD away from, Austin’s Dan Smith at the goal line.

· One came while Schieck was in the grasp of an East defender on a last-ditch play at the end of the game, and

· One was entirely his fault, thrown right to the defender.

"Tanner is throwing the ball well," Knox said. "He’s doing everything in his power to help us win."

Keep in mind, Schieck – who at 6 feet, 7 inches, towers over his offensive line and sees the field well – did throw two TD passes in the East game.

– Finally, some real good news. Austin Youth Football is hosting a tailgating party prior to Friday’s game at Wescott Field. A meal of brats, hot dogs and pop will be sold for $2 beginning at 4:30 p.m. on site at Wescott. Proceeds go to AYF.