B/SM/S win makes it three in a row for Pointers

By Ronica Thousand 

The Mineral Point Pointers continued their midseason surge Friday night, defeating Benton/Scales Mound/Shullsburg 28–7 to notch their third consecutive win. 

Behind a balanced offensive attack led by sophomore quarterback Liam Carey and senior running back Grady Finley, the Pointers once again showed why they’ve become one of the most dangerous teams in the conference. 

Carey delivered another standout performance, completing 9 of 16 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 31 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. His connection with senior receiver Brett Bossert proved pivotal, as Bossert hauled in five receptions for 118 yards, including a deep touchdown strike that gave the Pointers early momentum. 

On the ground, Finley continued to make his presence felt, rushing 13 times for 60 yards, helping open up the passing game and forcing Benton/Scales Mound/Shullsburg to respect the run. Since Finley’s return from injury, Mineral Point’s offense has found new rhythm and versatility — something head coach Leonard credits as a major factor in the team’s recent success. “Grady brings a different element to the offense,” the coach said. “His ability to run inside and outside allows us to attack more areas of the field. This puts more stress on the other team's defense. If we get him one-on-one with anyone in the open field, we feel confident he will win that match-up.” 

While Finley’s impact on the ground has been evident, it’s Carey’s continued growth under center that has elevated the offense to new heights. The sophomore signal-caller has become increasingly comfortable directing the team, both with his arm and his legs. “Liam has made a significant leap from last year,” the coach noted. “He continues to grow both as a player and a leader with every game. His impact on the offense has been evident this year, and he continues to improve.” 

But Carey’s contributions extend beyond offense. His presence on defense has also played a major role in Mineral Point’s recent dominance. “He has had an even bigger impact in ways on defense,” Leonard added. “He’s had a couple of interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — and he’s willing to be physical by coming downhill and getting involved in our run fits. That has significantly improved our run defense.” 

Defensively, junior Jake Dannenberg anchored the Pointers with a monster night, tallying 20 total tackles, including one for loss, and recovering a fumble that helped swing momentum in Mineral Point’s favor. 

With the win, Mineral Point improved its record and kept its playoff momentum rolling as the regular season winds down. The Pointers will look to extend their streak next week as they prepare for another tough matchup  with Fennimore— but for now, they’ll savor a third straight victory powered by balance, leadership, and grit.