Springfield upends MVL

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Springfield paid little attention to their seventh-place seeding in Section 3AA Tuesday, stopping the 2nd ranked Minnesota Valley Lutheran Chargers 21-7.

As the result of Springfield's 21-7 football victory Tuesday, MVL will go home, while the Tigers continue on to play either Madelia-Truman at Truman Saturday in the section semifinals.

Two teams that have seen a lot of battles over the years got a good look at how the teams have changed.

Going into the game, Springfield Coach Paul Dunn said the Tigers were relaxed and ready to play, concentrating on shutting down the Charger's running game.

"They run the ball right at you," said Dunn. "We need to get in there and not allow that big play."

And with the exception of a few, the Tigers held to that. Although the possession was fairly equal in the first quarter and the Charger players were yelling from the sidelines, the Tigers gained momentum early on in the game.

The Chargers went into the game with a good record for turnovers in their favor and looking to take care of the ball. On a cold evening, MVL had a hard time reaching that goal, fumbling and throwing an interception in the second quarter.

The Tiger's first touchdown seires started when senior Josh Roiger intercepted MVL quarterback Karl Struck's pass that was intended for senior Jacob Firle. Starting from the Charger's 37, Springfield's quarterback Andy Moritz threw several shovel passes, finding his teammates wide open and able to nibble away the yards. With 2:16 left in the second quarter, Springfield's Jesse Fox took the ball in for the touchdown from five yards out. Roiger following up with the extra point to make it 7-0 Springfield.

With 39 seconds left in the half, Struck ran the ball from the Charger's own 29 yard line, crossing the field, to be taken down at the Tiger's 30. The Chargers lost some ground after recovering their own fumble. After a time out, Struck completed a 44 yard touchdown pass to junior Grant Holzhueter, tying the game 7-7 after Mark Theisfeldt's extra point kick.

Even though MVL defense put constant pressure on Springfield's Moritz, causing him to make dishes, passes and runs under pressure, the Tiger's offense was not to be stopped.

Coming out strong in the third quarter, the Tigers completed a 20 yard pass, ran the ball, and on a 27 yard run, Moritz put Springfield ahead 14-7 after the extra point. Late in the third quarter, the Tigers once again pushed the ball across the line for a touchdown, making the score 21-7.

"We didn't take advantage of our opportunities early on," said MLV Coach Jim Buboltz. "This gave them the momentum." A momentum they kept.

The Tiger's defensive line also held fast in several key moments in the fourth quarter as the Chargers were attempting to get the ball the last few yards for a touchdown. The Chargers were within 10 yards of the goal for six downs, but could not get it past the three yard line.

"The Tigers showed that they just wanted it more," said Buboltz. "Towards the end, every time we got close, they held us off."

Springfield, now looking toward their next section game, are looking to do more of the same.

"We were very hungry tonight," said Dunn. "We attacked on both sides of the ball tonight, and that was the key to the game."

For MVL, Holzhueter had 12 carries for 45 yards and Struck had eight carries for 39 yards. Struck was 8 for 24 passing for 108 yards, one TD and two interceptions.

MVL was playing without Andy Bielke, one of its offensive and defensive leaders, who suffered a concussion in last week's game and was held out of play.

Springfield 0 7 14 0 - 21

MVL 0 7 0 0 - 7

Scoring

2nd Quarter:

Springfield: Fox, 5 yd run, Roiger kick at 9:44

MVL: Struck 44 yd pass to Holzhueter, Theisfeldt kick.

good at 11:59

3rd Quarter:

Springfield: Moritz, 27 yd run, Roiger kick at 7:51.

Springfield: