Sophomores produce for MVL

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Minnesota Valley Lutheran started its season 1-2, and with a sophomore at quarterback, the Chargers knew they were going to take some lumps.

On Thursday, the Chargers looked like a completely different team and as Ryan Timm singed the Waterville-Elysian-Morristown defense for four touchdowns and 99 yards on 24 carries as the Chargers defeated the Bucs 26-6 in Gopher-Valley Conference football action at Johnson Field.

The win means the Chargers can clinch at least a share of the conference title with a win over Madelia/Truman.

"We know we got a part at the conference title," MVL sophomore cornerback Greg Holzhueter, who had two interceptions, said. "We're pretty excited about it, and hopefully we can carry it over next week against Madelia/Truman.

The sophomore quarterback also shined as he rushed for 64 yards and passed for another 84.

"I tell ya, we had two sophomores come up huge for us," MVL coach Jim Buboltz said. "Two 16-year-olds, one of them on defense and one of them on offense. Greg played really good defense and really came up hard and made some big hits."

The Bucs took the opening drive of the game and brought it down to MVL's 21. But WEM quarterback Garrett Kinniry threw a pass that was intercepted in the back of the end zone by Holzhueter.

"They like to run that fade a lot, especially on first down," Holzhueter said. "I saw it coming, and I knew that Benjamin [Olson] was there helping me out. I just jumped up and came down with it."

The Chargers then marched 80 yards and consumed 8:21 of the first quarter on what turned out to be Timm's first touchdown after he plunged in from two yards out to give the Chargers a 6-0 lead after the failed PAT. It was the only touchdown either team scored in the first half. He compared the first half of last week's game with Maple River in which the Chargers scored on their first four drives in the second half, to this game, in which they scored once in the first half and finished hot in the end.

"That first drive was huge," Timm said. "The teams are a different mentality. You gotta open up and play the way they play it. They [Maple River] liked to go wide last week, and this team likes to run it up the middle."

Timm scored his second touchdown in the third quarter and the Chargers led 12-0 after the 2-point conversion failed.

In the fourth quarter, Timm scored from one yard out and the PAT was good by Eric Becker. On WEM's next drive, Luke Beilke caused a fumble in the backfield which was recovered by David Sting.

Timm went up the middle for a 15-yard score and the Chargers led 26-0.

"I owe it to the line," Timm said. "Anyone could run through those holes."

Defensively, Holzhueter had four tackles and two interceptions and Beilke had eight tackles. Olson had four tackles and recovered his fourth fumble of the season.

MVL (6-2, 6-1), winners of four straight, look to clinch a share of the conference title with a win over Madelia-Truman Wednesday.

Jeremy Behnke can be reached at jbehnke@nujournal.com