Minster rallies to beat New Bremen

NEW BREMEN - It was a matchup of the running game of the New Bremen Cardinals against the aerial attack of the Minster Wildcats. That contest came out fairly even, but it was Minster's special teams and ability to hit a few big plays that led the way in their 28-21 victory.

New Bremen received the opening kickoff and marched 70 yards with 13 running plays, using almost eight minutes of the clock to take a 7-0 lead. After stopping the Wildcats on downs at the Cardinal 40-yard line, New Bremen used seven running plays to go up 14-0. Gavin Dicke capped the first drive with a three-yard run while Jacob Kelly scored in the second quarter from 18 yards out.

"We didn't tackle well in the first half," lamented Minster coach Seth Whiting. "We had hits in the backfield but the quarterback got out of them because he is a good football player."

The Wildcats responded when Carson Kaylor found Taylor Fancher alone for a 32-yard score late in the second quarter. Minster's John Inskeep then forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return, which was recovered by Tyler Bergman. It was the first Cardinal turnover of the season. The Wildcats were able to end the half with a 34-yard Beckhem Stephey field goal, which has happened all three games this season.

New Bremen gained no yards through the air in the first half, while Minster was only able to accumulate 20 yards on the ground.

After the Wildcats were stopped on downs at the Cardinal 27-yard line to open the second half, New Bremen completed their first pass of the game, an 18-yarder to Charles Nelson. They returned to the ground game for the next eight plays, with a five-yard Kelly run expanding the Cardinal lead to 21-10.

"When we went for it on fourth down it would have been about a 44-yard field goal," considered Whiting. "Beckham's leg was hot tonight and he was feeling it. I should have let him go for it. Hindsight is 20-20."

"Our kids hang their hat on being tough, no matter what the situation, no matter how bad things get," added Whiting. "Our kids do a great job of that and I'm proud of them."

After a 52-yard Fancher kickoff return, Minster scored three plays later when Kaylor connected with Brendan Halpin for a 25-yard score. A two-point conversion pass failed, and the Wildcats still trailed 21-16.

Disaster struck New Bremen at the end of the third quarter when a snap sailed over their punter's head. He kicked it through the end zone for a safety to reduce the Cardinal lead to 21-18.

Minster returned the resulting free kick into New Bremen territory. On a fourth-and-9 play, Kaylor floated a beautiful ball over the defenders and into the outstretch arms of Stephey at the two-yard line. Kaylor ran the ball into the end zone three plays later to give the Wildcats their first lead, 25-21.

After forcing a three and out, Minster salted away the game with an eight-play drive which ended with a Beckham Stephey 20-yard field goal to achieve the final 28-21 score. Forced to rely on their passing game with only 1:30 remaining, the Cardinals were stopped on downs to end the contest.

The Wildcats totaled 175 yards passing with Brendan Halpin catching four balls for 67 yards and a score. Dicke and Kelly compiled 94 and 93 yards rushing respectively for New Bremen. Minster would only gain 85 yards on 33 rushing attempts, while the Cardinals would gain only 24 yards passing, completing three of eleven throws.

Stephey became the first player in school history to kick two field goals in a game in two different contests.

Next Friday, Minster will host Parkway. New Bremen will travel to face Coldwater.