Good blocking always makes thing easier for a quarterback and Pointer QB Liam Carey is thankful for that. Photo by Jason Nihles.
Mineral Point football bussed their way o Platteville for their first road test of the season, pulling out a tight 28-27 win in a back-andforth non-conference match-up Friday.
Both teams entered the matchup riding Week 1 momentum; the Pointers had topped the Dodgeville Dodgers 28-14, while the Hillmen rolled over the Mauston Golden Eagles 40-18.
Last year was all Platteville in Mineral Point as their offense exploded for a 41-14 victory, but this time, the Pointers avenged the loss in the new Hillmen stadium. Platteville’s senior quarterback, Brody Digman, put the Hillmen on the board first with a quarterback keeper into the end zone, capped by Leandro Carlos Mogue’s successful extra point to make it 7-0.
Liam Carey and the Pointers responded early in the second quarter with a touchdown of their own to knot the score at seven. In the final minutes of the first half, Carey orchestrated another drive, finding Elliot Kite for a touchdown pass to send the Pointers into the locker room with a 14-7 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw both offenses explode. Mineral Point added another touchdown, while Platteville scored three times for the lead. However, a missed extra point proved crucial, leaving the Hillmen holding just a six-point advantage.
Digman finished 23-for-31 passing with 209 total yards and a touchdown pass. However, Hillmen fans held their breath late in the fourth quarter when the senior quarterback was forced to the sidelines with an injury.
As the final minutes ticked away, Mineral Point’s freshman Tyler Ingwell delivered the play of the game, taking a punt return all the way to the end zone to give the Pointers a dramatic 28-27 lead. The Pointers defense then went to work on the final drive of the game, shutting down the Hillmen’s offense to secure the victory.
Mineral Point hopes to continue its hot start when they face the reigning state champion, Darlington Redbirds Friday. Meanwhile, Platteville will look to bounce back from the loss as they prepare to match up against the winless Lancaster Flying Arrows in Week 3.
