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Football coaches try to formulate game plans that incorporate both the run and pass hopefully in fairly equal quantities.
It worked to near perfection for the Mineral Point squad Friday in a 42-15 SWAL win over Fennimore to keep the Pointers at the top of the standings.
The Pointers roamed the field for 310 yards, 167 through the air and 143 on the ground as both totals nearly matched.
"Our game plan is to be balanced in the run and pass and we certainly were able to do that," said Pointer coach Andy Palzkill. "We are very fortunate to have a number of young men that we want to get the ball to and we do our best to keep everyone involved."
Will Straka and Blaise Watters both scored twice for the Pointers with Straka raising his season touchdown total to 13. Straka got both of his on the ground, capping drives with scores from one and 11 yards out. Watters ran in the first score of the game from the 14 then caught a 12 yard offering from Isaac Lindsey for his second score.
Lindsey also got into the scoring act with an 11 yard scamper to end the scoring for the Pointers late in the second quarter.
Special teams accounted for the final Pointer score when Liam Stumpf scampered 68 yards to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.
The Pointers substituted freely the second half with Fennimore getting on the board twice in the third frame.
Lindsey was near perfect when it came to throwing the football, accounting for 139 yards and the touchdown pitch to Watters, on a 13 for 14 night. His back-up, Joah Filardo, was two for three for an additional 28 yards.
Lindsey, then Filardo, spread the ball around when it came to the Pointer passing game. Stumpf caught four for 64 yards, Grant Bossert four for 35, Watters four for 32 and Straka two for 30.
Palzkill was especially pleased with Bossert who had a good night grabbing the football.
"Grant Bossert had a big night for us and it was nice to see him make a number of catches," Palzkill said. "His growth as a player has been fun to watch and he is playing at a very high level right now."
Palzkill is also impressed with how Lindsey is doing all he can to help the team find success on the field.
"Isaac is playing at the highest level! His understanding of our offense allows him to pick apart opposing defenses," said Palzkill. "He and I have a great relationship and that allows us to work together and get into the best call for each situation. Words do not describe how amazing it is to be coaching him at this point in his career."
The Pointers quickly found their comfort level early.
"We settled into a groove calling plays against Fennimore," admitted Palzkill. "Most of the decisions to run or pass were based on down and distance scenarios. Fennimore did a good job of making us adjust to different defensive looks and they changed their looks often."
Fennimore is a team capable of putting up some big numbers but the Pointer defenders did not allow that to happen.
"We played an excellent game defensively," said Palzkill. " Our kids are really flying to the ball and we have been very solid within our defensive fundamentals. What really stood out to me was that our athletes made a number of great plays in space. That is a testament to the work that our coaches do each week in tackling drills. We have very good footwork and our kids are playing an aggressive style of football."
Palzkill credited some players he felt controlled the defensive tempo.
"Nolan Springer is having an amazing season for us at strong side linebacker," the coach said. "He is always around the football and does a great job in space making tackles and getting his hands on the football in the passing game. Mitchell Aurit and Mason Hughes are having great seasons for us on the defensive line. These two just go about their business week to week, but their aggressive style of play is contagious."
The Pointers (4-0) host Cuba City (1-3) Friday.
"Cuba City is great football program and they are always well coached," Palzkill said. "They always play hard and we have had a number of great contests with them over the years. We have a number of things to improve upon this week in practice and those improvements will go a long way in earning a victory over Cuba City."