Troop rolls over Cougars
Troop rolls over Cougars
By Suzanne Werre
The Garrison-Max Troopers used big plays and used the air to their advantage Friday night, rolling over the Central McLean Cougars 43-2 in Turtle Lake putting the Cougars’ record at 0-2.
The Troopers didn’t need their ground game much as they scored on big plays from the air, starting with the opening 80-yard kickoff return for the score by Levi Hummel. Hummel would score two more times using an air attack both offensively and defensively, including a 64-yard TD pass from quarterback Tyler Jacobson in the first quarter, and a 49-yard interception run in for the score at the end of the first half.
“Giving up the opening kickoff, I think that definitely set us reeling a little bit,” said Cougar co-coach Kevin Dockter.
“It was just tough, tough playing conditions . . . it was a tough night,” he added, regarding the 90-plus degree temperatures during the first half of the game.
The Cougars’ only score came in the second quarter when the Troopers had a bad snap and the ball bounced out of the end zone.
Garrison continued to go to the air to score taking a 36-2 lead going into the half. Reid Groninger added some balance to the Troop-ers’ scoring attack, hauling in a TD on a Jacobson pass from the 55-yard-line, and he followed up with a 79-yard scoring strike from Jacobson.
The Troopers’ Alex Enney scored the final TD of the game, hauling in a 39-yard score in the third quarter.
Cougar co-coach Kurt Ziebarth credited Garrison’s defense for shutting down the Cougar offense, as Central McLean picked up just 53 yards on the ground and three in the air.
“I think the big thing was their front four defensive line really stepped up and played really well,” said Ziebarth.
Landen Lelm led the Cougars’ ground attack with 20 yards on 12 carries.
As the Cougars look ahead to this Friday when they travel to current state 11-man champion Hazen, the coaches are focusing on seeing improvement from their young team.
“I’d really like to see us be a
