The Verndale Pirates rallied from a 14-0 third quarter deficit to shade Brandon-Evansville 22-20 Saturday night in Class Nine-man football action at Brandon.
McKenon Plaster gave the hometown Chargers a 6-0 lead in the second quarter with a four-yard run. When Robbie Juul scored from seven yards out in the third quarter and Plaster tacked on the conversion points, the Chargers found themselves with a 14-0 lead over last year's Section 4 runner-up team.
The Pirates went to work and a 32-yard third quarter scamper by Mitchell Blaha cut Brandon-Evansville's lead to eight.
Verndale surged ahead in the fourth quarter with back-to-back touchdowns by Mack Jones and Mac Schluttner. Jones went over from the one and Schluttner scored on an eight-yard carry. Blaha and Jones tacked on the conversion points.
The Chargers had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter when Plaster scored on a four-yard run. The Pirates stopped the Chargers on the conversion run to clinch the win.
ADVERTISEMENT
Blaha carried 28 times for 149 yards. Jones rushed 13 times for 39 yards. Ethan Orlando caught two passes for 35 yards.
Orlando had a big night on defense with 20 stops. Blaha and Carter Schmitz came up with 16 and 11. Sam Moore combined with Zach Johnson for 17.
The Pirates will host Hillcrest in a 7 p.m. game Friday.
Verndale 0 0 6 16 - 22
Brandon-Evansville 0 6 8 6 - 20
Verndale: Mitchell Blaha 32 yd run (PAT failed), Mack Jones 1 yd run (PAT Blaha run), Mac Schluttner 8 yd run (PAT Jones run)
B-E: McKenon Plaster 4 yd run (PAT failed), Robbie Juul 7 yd run (PAT Plaster run), Plaster 4 yd run (PAT failed)
Vern. B-E
ADVERTISEMENT
First Downs 16 13
Yards Rushing 208 201
Yards Passing 46 54
Total Yards 254 255
Passes 5-7 3-8
Penalties 6-55 3-25
