October 13, 2016 at 11:19 a.m.
Sanchez, Pointers run over Boscobel
The senior running back scored four touchdowns for Mineral Point that paced the Pointers to a 51-16 SWAL win and put them one game from being playoff eligible.
That means Friday's game with Southwestern will make it or break it for the Pointers in their quest to gain a post season playoff spot. The Wildcats are currently 1-7 overall and winless in five SWAL games.
"We will focus on Southwestern on continuing to improve on the areas we recognized from the Boscobel film," said Pointer coach Andy Palzkill. "This is an important week for us and we will need to stay focused on playing good football as we close out the regular season."
Palzkill says the Pointers are preparing for the multiple offenses the Wildcats have in their arsenal.
"Friday night I expect us to play well and take the steps necessary for the playoffs," Palzkill continued. "Southwestern will be showing us multiple offensives with numerous formations. They will likely throw the ball quite a bit. On defense, we will see a four front and probably a mixture of man and zone coverage. We will prepare for all that we think they will do and also be able to adjust if necessary. This is a very important game for us and we will be excited for the opportunity to host the Wildcats."
Last Friday Sanchez scored on a two yard run to get the Pointers started in the opening frame. He ran the ball into the end zone three times the second quarter with scampers of seven, 81 and five yards. He finished with 138 yards on 14 carries.
Riley Workman scored on a 30 yard punt return to help the Pointers to a 14-0 first quarter. He finished with 44 yards on five carries.
Boone Schmitz got to take some handoffs for the Pointers and ran in from the 17 to start the third quarter and move the score to 42-0. He finished with 28 yards on three carries.
Boscobel also got a third quarter score when Brandon Mindham broke loose for a 51 yard jaunt. Gavin Bell took the ball in for a two point conversion.
Bell scored again for the Bulldogs to open the fourth frame and Pedro Diego added the two point conversion.
The final Pointer score came courtesy of senior Grant Rose who took a pass from back-up quarterback Curtis Cox and took it 61 yards to score.
Cox kicked five extra points.
While several ball carriers scored it was the defense and special teams that opened things up.
"Our defense and special teams played very well which allowed us to have many short-field opportunities on offense," said Palzkill. "We were also able to be very balanced on offense and we were able to have big plays using both the run and pass. It was a very nice team victory for us and allowed us to gain confidence as well as take one more step towards the playoffs."
Isaac Lindsey was three for five passing for 74 yards. Cox was two for four for 125 yards and one touchdown.
Rose made the most of his two receptions as he ran 125 yards with the football and scored once. Workman caught two passes for 62 yards and Lance Steffes one for 12.
Palzkill said many players had strong performances in the win.
"Lucas Sanchez and Riley workman were very impressive," Palzkill continued. "They both came up with numerous big plays in the first half. We also had a great effort from Grant Rose at the split end position. Grant is a young man who works hard and definitely took advantage of an opportunity to play against Boscobel. His two catches were big plays and the second one went for a touchdown."
"I was also impressed with how hard Boone Schmitz ran the ball for us," Palzkill added. "He doesn't get a ton of carries, but he is a smart football player and he is a very tough football player. It was great to see him run through tacklers and score a touchdown for us as well."
"Lastly, I thought Grant Sporle and Joey Dolphin played very well in the offensive line. Both of these young men have been improving all season. Eric Heisner has continued to play well at left tackle and we also have been getting quality play out of Joe Ripp and Brant James up front," Palzkill said.
Defensively the Pointers had nine tackles for losses. Sawyer Wallace had three stops behind the line, Dathan Paradis two with Boone Schmitz, Caden Jackson, Carver Wallace and Jake Gorgen one each.
The wins the past two weeks follow a very tough start of the SWAL season for the Pointers that started 0-3. But, Palzkill sees that as a possible plus toward the quality football the Pointers are now playing.
"The conference schedule was set up with the toughest teams early in the season," Palzkill said. "The hard losses to Fennimore and Iowa-Grant have helped us in the long run. We were able to address the things we were not doing well in the first five games. Many times, those learning experiences are very important in the big picture of a season."
"Without those losses early in the schedule, we may not have been able to address a number of the things that we have improved upon. Our athletes have learned to play more physical than we did early in the year and we are carrying our technique into game action much more than we did early on. The most important thing is how a group of young men respond to adversity. This team has responded very well to this point and we are continuing to focus on the little things and doing things the right way. I am looking forward to continue to watch us improve and get better in the coming weeks," Palzkill said.
