Friday, Sept. 26, 2014

Zach Pierskalla running ball

Melrose scoreD quickly putting up 20 points in the first quarter, then held on for a 20-18 win over ACGG this evening at Melrose.

Melrose made some big plays in the first quarter. The five-yard touchdown run by Pierskalla was set by a 39-yard kickoff return by senior Anthony Welle.  Pierskalla, who finished with 141 yards rushing, had a 25-yard run setting up the 12-yard touchdown pass by from junior Tyler Braegelmann to senior receiver Blake Gerads.

After Melrose recovered a fumble on the A-C-GC 36 yard line. Melrose moved the ball to the Falcons’ 15-yard line. It scored from there on a pass to senior Matthew Beste.

Colton Meyer kicking

Point after touchdown kicks by junior Colton Meyer following the Pierskalla and Beste touchdown gave Melrose a 20-6 leads. Those kicks were the difference in the score at the end of the game. But after the first quarter Melrose could not sustain drives.  It had the ball for only about five minutes in the second quarter, and not much more time in the third and fourth quarters.  A-C-CG was able to score on Melrose, but it had to struggle to do so as the Dutchmen worked hard to prevent giving up yards.  The team's defense, while not stopping touchdowns, did slow the Falcons point gains

After each of the A-C-CG touchdowns, the Dutchmen stopped the Falcons point after touchdown (PAT) attempts. Melrose’s defense blocked a PAT kick, stopped a run and thwarted a pass play.

Pierskalla had some big runs on holes created by the offensive line, on covered 39 yards on one play. Welle had a 26-yard run and junior Ryan Preusser had a 14-yard run.

 The PAT defense was not the only time the team did well with special teams. Late in the game Melrose had to punt the ball, the only punt by either team in the game. Freshmen Luke Glasener was called on to center the ball to Meyer. Meyer had a great punt and Glasener tackled the receiver at the ACGC 25-yard line.

With 36 seconds left, A-C-CG had the ball first and 10 on its own 25. The Falcons had shown an ability to connect for passes when they needed it.  They got the pass off, but Michael Salzl was able to tip it.  That tip was deflected to junior Zack Pierskalla who carried it back to the A-C-GC 16. From there Melrose ran out the clock. Videos of the interception and other highlighs can be seen at http://youtu.be/1DfN-zPIxR4

Melrose is now 3-2 overall and 3-2 in the WCC-North.