The Austin Packers’ coaching staff said the reasons for the Packers’ season opening win Friday night were simple: special teams, defense, and offense – in that order.

Saturday, September 02, 2000

The Austin Packers’ coaching staff said the reasons for the Packers’ season opening win Friday night were simple: special teams, defense, and offense – in that order.

All three groups played well for Austin in the team’s 27-7 win over visiting Winona at Wescott Field.

"The most praise tonight would go to our defense and special teams," AHS head coach Steve Knox said. "They gave our young offense a chance to succeed."

The Packer offense took advantage of superb field position in the second half and ran like a well-oiled machine. Austin scored three touchdowns in the final quarter to turn a tight ball game into a blowout at the end.

The play that changed the momentum for good was turned in by the Packers’ special teams.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Packers drove to the Winhawk 42 yard line, but were forced to punt from there. Joe Sand’s punt was muffed by a Winhawk player at the 8 and recovered by Austin at the Winona 4.

Jaime Zavala plowed up the middle through a gaping hole cleared by the offensive line to put Austin up 21-7.

On the ensuing Winhawk possession, Zavala intercepted a Nic Cappel pass and returned it to the Winona 17-yard line. Three plays later, Austin quarterback Mike Fuhrman bullied his way in from two yards out to make the final 27-7.

"I was a little tense at first," said Fuhrman, who made his first varsity start Friday. "As we scored more, we settled down and we won the game in the fourth (quarter). That’s Packer football."

Zavala, who carried 21 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns, was quick to deflect credit.

"The line opened up holes for me all night," he said. "All I had to do was run through them."

Zavala broke a key run on Austin’s first scoring drive. After Winona took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, the Packers appeared to be reeling. But Zavala took the ball three straight times to start Austin’s second possession of the quarter and ran for a combined 25 yards on those carries.

On an Austin first down play from the Winhawk 39, Zavala received a key block at the line of scrimmage from linemen Brett Hovey and Riley Brolsma and scampered downfield, where he received another block from fullback Mike Cavanaugh. The result of the play was a 30-yard gain for Austin and an eight-yard run two plays later by Zavala for his first touchdown of the night.

"Once we got rid of the first game jitters we were fine," Zavala said.

On the defensive side, Zavala had the lone interception for the Packers, and Dave Lorenzen had three sacks.

Defensive back Jeff Kvam also had two pass breakups after Winhawk receivers found their way behind the Packers’ secondary early in the game.

"I knew they’d be coming at me," the 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior said. "I saw just what the quarterback was doing and I broke to the ball real well."

Fuhrman, who walked off the field carrying the game ball, was 4-for-12 passing for 47 yards and a fourth quarter touchdown pass to tight end Zach Aberg that turned out to be the game-winner.

"It feels great," Fuhrman said of his first touchdown pass. "It’s kind of an ice-breaker."

Fuhrman said the Packers’ defense was the key to the team’s success.

"When our defense holds a team to seven points, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t win," he said.

Austin forced nine Winona fumbles and recovered three, while the Packers turned the ball over just once.