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Mineral Point's football team had a good ending when it came to effort Friday at Cuba City but the start was just the opposite.
The start.
Brandon Slaats, a 5-9, 160 pound junior took advantage of the blocking pattern established by the Cubans and raced 86 yards with the opening kick-off and Greg Ganter kicked the first of three extra points.
That got things going and the Cubans eventually parlayed that into a 30-13 win, making this Friday's game against Southwestern a must win for the Pointers when it comes to getting into the post season play-offs.
The Pointers would rather have gotten the win against the Cubans but it didn't happen.
" We knew that we had to get off to a great start to hang in with the Cubans, but they set up their wedge return very well, and we missed a couple of tackle opportunities, which was all that their athlete needed to take it to the house," coach Tom Steger said. "It made us play uphill against a very good defense, and it put more emphasis on every play from then on. Once we got our feet under us, we played pretty much even with the Cubans, but you can't start a game that way against a good team and hope to win."
The Pointers outgained the Cubans on the ground with a 237 to 164 edge. But the Cubans ended up in the end zone more often. They made it 14-0 at the end of the first quarter when Alex Murphy capped a drive with a one yard plunge and Ganter made the kick.
"They scored near the end of the first quarter," said Steger. "Our defense pretty much took away most of their effective plays, except for the quarterback on the option. We had trouble getting off blocks and getting to him."
The Pointers got untracked early in the second quarter on a 26 yard run by John Schmitz.
"John scored early in the second, on an outstanding cutback run," Steger said. "We got some things going attacking Cuba on our weak side of our offense, and put together a nice scoring drive. We then traded punts a couple of times, with Cuba gaining about 25 yards each punt, until we gave them a short field after a short punt which they took advantage of. They also got a field goal after us giving them a short field right before half time. They took full advantage of the wind, and of their outstanding kicker and punter to pin us in our own end, and we weren't able to move the ball out of there near the end of the first half."
The Pointers turned up the defense the second half with only a turnover in the fourth quarter allowing the Cubans to score. That happened when 6-6, 220 lb. senior Trent Denlinger picked off a pass and returned it 53 yards for the final Cubans score.
"Our defense was outstanding in the second half, and we moved and controlled the ball in the third quarter, allowing Cuba City only three plays," Steger said. "The interception by their big D-end, dashed our hopes of a comeback."
"We actually outgained the Cubans in total offense, and ran about twice the plays that they did," Steger said. "Cuba City took full advantage of field position and big plays, and we didn't do enough in those areas."
Brady Tibbits led the rushing for the Pointers with 100 yards in 21 carries. Schmitz gained 95 on 14 tries and Cody Bertram 20 on nine carries. Dakota Poad gained 13 on four attempts, Jacob Heimsoth one for six and Todd Tibbits one for five and a touchdown.
"Brady was the leading rusher, but when we had an opportunity to get him into the end zone, we put Todd Tibbits in at fullback to score his first varsity touchdown of his career," Steger said. "He has definitely earned the chance at the end zone with his hard play all season, and it was a nice moment in the game to see him score. John Schmitz also ran extremely well.
"I thought our team played extremely hard, and our effort kept us in the game despite the big plays by the Cubans," Steger said. "If we can harness our effort and energy, and execute things better, I like our chances of getting a big win this week against Southwestern, and get into the playoffs.
"We have to limit the big plays by Southwestern, and continue to run the ball effectively. It would also be nice to find a bit of a throwing game to compliment our running game."
The Pointers were one for nine passing with Bertram hitting Travis Steffes for nine yards.