October 18, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
Thrilling ending to Pointer football season
It wasn't an easy win but it was a big one in terms of how the Pointers came together this season.
"We wanted to improve as the season progressed and we definitely did get better in our final game," said first year head coach Andy Palzkill of the finale. "It was a great way for our seniors to finish their football careers. I felt like it was the first game this year that we made the plays to take the win. We played with more confidence in this game and were not going to let Southwestern take the game from us."
Penalties kept the Pointers from getting into a steady flow. The Pointers were whistled for a dozen penalties and assessed 125 yards. None of the penalties resulted in Southwestern scores but they did upset momentum at times.
"There were numerous penalties, but none of them put Southwestern in an advantageous situation offensively," Palzkill said. "Most of our penalties were on offense and we did stop ourselves because of those penalties. It was a hard game to get into a flow due to all the penalties and stoppages in play."
But the Pointers kept going enough times to score four touchdowns and get three extra point kicks from sophomore Tommy Olson. The Wildcats matched the touchdown total but only converted one extra point.
Sophomore Sy Staver hauled in a punt by the Wildcats and returned it to the five to set up the first Pointer score.
"We then scored on first down with an off-tackle play that Jacob Heimsoth took in for the touchdown," Palzkill said.
Olson kicked the conversion.
The Wildcats got on the board in the second quarter when Cody Miller recovered a blocked punt in the end zone.
The Pointers answered with a Turner Poad touchdown and Olson's kick.
The Wildcats came back with an Aaron Kaiser touchdown and an extra point kick by Josh Smith. That made it 14-13 at the half.
After halftime, John Schmitz capped his senior season with a four yard run and Olson's kick made it 21-13 after three.
Palzkill had high praise for Schmitz, especially with his third quarter effort.
"John Schmitz really ran hard in his final game as a Pointer," Palzkill said. "He made some big runs in each of our formations and we gave him the ball for most of the drive for our third quarter score. I was definitely proud of the way he took us on his back and carried us to the end zone on that particular drive. He has done a great job for us all year, but was a huge part of this win."
The Wildcats came back early in the final quarter with another Kaiser touchdown on an 11 yard run.
Pointer quarterback Nolan Barrette snuck in from the one give the Pointers the winning cushion.
Kaiser came up with one more score, this one on a pass play, to make things interesting at the end.
"The fourth quarter was very up and down," Palzkill said. "Our final score was set up after we had a big pass play to Tarek Oellerich on a second and 27. That pass allowed us to gain some momentum and then Nolan Barrette was able to make some big runs out of our spread package and that is how we were able to score our final touchdown."
Then it was up to the defense to close it out.
"Our defense did a great job making plays in the fourth quarter," Palzkill said. "We had two big stops on two-point conversions and Tarek Oellerich did a great job of high-pointing the football and making the game sealing interception. Overall, our kids hung in there and made big plays down the stretch which allowed us to get the win."
The Pointers ran for 184 yards and were led by Nick Mohlmann's 91 on 16 carries.
Barrette passed for 133 yards, hitting on nine of 23 passes.
Staver caught three passes for 57 yards.
The Pointers worked the offensive plan to Palzkill's satisfaction.
"We were able to use a good mixture of runs and passes," he said. "We thought we could run the ball well in our spread formations with the way they defended us and that proved to be the way we set up the final score."
The defense proved up to the task for their part in the win.
"Tucker Pickel and Robby Chubb really played great games on defense," Palzkill pointed out. "Tucker has been the heart and soul of our defense and played his best game of the year. He refused to be blocked and had multiple tackles for loss. Robby did a great job of pressuring their quarterback and was relentless with his pass rush."
"Junior Brenyn Schmit has also come into his own the past few weeks and was a big factor for our defense," Palzkill said. "He has shown that he is capable of being an impact player for us as we look towards next season."
The Pointers will not play an optional ninth game this season so the win at Southwestern was their finale. Palzkill felt the Pointers finished what they started.
"We wanted to improve as the season progressed definitely did." Palzkill said. "I want to thank the seniors for all of their hard work and dedication. After last season ended, these kids did everything that I asked of them to prepare for their senior season. They became better athletes and are great kids. I would not trade them for anything."
"The first season was a learning process all around," Palzkill added. "We taught many new concepts and set a good foundation for the future. Our young coaching staff also settled in and became much more comfortable with their roles and responsibilities. It was a fun season and the future definitely looks bright for Mineral Point football."
