Packers struggle on offense in loss to St. Croix Lutheran
Published 10:16 pm Friday, September 6, 2024
Austin receiver Jamison Bastyr juggles the ball before hauling it in in the third quarter against St. Croix Lutheran Friday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Will Fox wraps up St. Croix Lutheran’s Thaddaeus Woodford Friday night in Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Garlo Gee looks for running room against St. Croix Lutheran Friday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Robert Lillis (51) and Samuel Winkels combine for the tackle on St. Croix Lutheran’s Matthew Beekman Friday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Aidan Schneider maintains the block against St. Croix Lutheran’s Andrew Petesron Friday at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Jamal Faux escapes a tackle by St. Crois Lutheran’s Andrew Peterson during the first quarter Friday night in Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Garlo Gee reaches for more yardage on a first-quarter carry Friday night against St. Croix Lutheran in Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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The Austin football team couldn’t muster any offense until it was too late in a 34-6 loss to St. Croix Lutheran in Art Hass Stadium Friday night.
The Packers (0-2 overall) didn’t run a play in the red zone throughout the night and they didn’t get on the scoreboard until late in the game when Isaac Bell hauled in a 43-yard TD pass from Matthew Oldenkamp. Before that, the Packers struggled to sustain any of their drives.
“We’re the old three or four yards and a cloud of dust team. That’s what we are this year,” Austin head coach Ed Schmitt said. “We’re not going to air it out.”
Austin’s defense held steady for most of the first half, but the Crusaders (2-0 overall) got on the board when Colin Avery ran a punt back 82 yards for a score in the first quarter. They extended their lead to 15-0 when Tory Wollersheim found Avery for a 19-yard scoring strike with just 10 seconds left in the first half.
The defense was on the field for much of the night as Austin was meddled with penalties.
“Offensively we didn’t help the defense at all. If we had a positive play, we’d get a penalty and we’d get backed up and put in bad spots,” Schmitt said. “We’re not a big passing attack team and the run is our bread and butter. They did a good job by loading the box up and they took it to us.”
Austin will try to get back on track when it hosts Kasson-Mantorville at 7 p.m. Friday.
“We had some guys dinged up tonight and we’ve got to get them healthy and ready to go,” Schmitt said
SCORING SUMMARY
SCL 7 8 13 6 – 34
Austin 0 0 0 6 – 6
First quarter
(SCL) Colin Avery 82 punt return (Beekman kick) (1 play, 82 yards) 5:28
Second quarter
(SCL) Avery 19 pass from Troy Wollersheim (Avery from Wollersheim) (8 plays, 55 yards) :10
Third quarter
(SCL) Beekman 33 field goal (9 plays, 68 yards) 7:08
(SCL) Straun Bandelin 35 run (Tory Wollersheim run) (1 play, 35 yads) 4:49
(SCL) safety 3:07
Fourth quarter
(SCL) Bandelin 68 run (kick failed) (1 play, 68 yards) 8:06
(A) Isaac Bell 43 pass from Matthew Oldenkamp (run failed) (7 plays, 67 yards) 1:48
AUSTIN STATS
Rushing: Garlo Gee, 14-for-42; Jamal Faux, 8-for-25; Gage Kiley, 1-for-1; Zane Thoma, 1-for-(-2); Jamison Bastyr, 1-for-(-4)
Passing: Matthew Oldenkam, 1-for-2, 43, TD; Faux, 2-for-12, 37, INT; Bastyr, 2-for-3, 21
Receiving: Isaac Bell, 1-for-43, TD; Bastyr, 2-for-38; Ace Almanza, 1-for-13; Parker Anderson, 1-for-8
Defense: Aidan Swenson, 1 sack
