The Merrill varsity football team has had a thorn in its side in conference play over the last couple of seasons. That thorn, otherwise known as the Medford Raiders, has not only knocked the Jays out of contention for GNC titles the last two seasons, but did so while teasing the Jays with winning margins of 6 points or less.
On Friday evening, the white and red clad Raiders showed up at a rainy and chilly Jay Stadium, looking to make it a three-peat. Unfortunately, head coach Nick Sturm and company had a much different idea in mind.
The Raiders wasted no time in going for the jugular, snagging a successful onside kick to start the game. Their effort was soon stymied by the Bluejay defense and following a Medford punt, first-year quarterback Drew Hoff and crew took over on their own 38 yard line. The ensuing play would send an unmistakable message to the other sideline, as the fleet-footed junior took off on a QB keeper and rambled 62 yards for the score. Trey Stevenson’s extra point made it 7-0.
The Raiders soon answered on a 14 yard aerial scoring strike. A two point conversion run set them up with an 8-7 lead.
All-conference defensive tackle Dustin Dengel came up big for the Jays on Medford’s next possession; scooping up a loose Raider ball on the Medford 29. Hoff took his crew on a 7-play drive and capped it with a goal-line QB plunge. Stevenson’s extra point swung the pendulum back in Merrill’s favor with a 14-8 lead. Stevenson followed with a well placed 30 yard field goal to close the half with a cozy 17-8 lead.
Turnovers would become the name of the game in the second half as the Jays forced three in the 3rd quarter alone.
The first came on fourth down of Medford’s first possession of the second half. As the Raider punter lined up on his own 7, an errant snap left him easy prey for senior outside linebacker Jake Nohr. Nohr quickly closed in and slammed the lone Raider to the ground. The ensuing possession consisted of a pair of runs by shifty senior running back Mason Reinhardt, capped off by yet another goal-line plunge from Hoff.
Medford would find themselves in nearly the exact same position on their next possession. This time the punter stood on his own 9 yard line. And this time it would be Reinhardt closing in from his linebacker position, and slamming the punter to the ground. Reinhardt then took the ball on a carry, cut back inside, and sliced into the end zone for another 6. Stevenson’s extra point cranked the spread to 31-8.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, their nightmare would be far from over. The Bluejay defense remained relentless; forcing and recovering a fumble later in the third and cashing in with a 24-yard scamper by senior Lucas Lee.
When the whistle of mercy was finally blown for the Raiders, they found themselves on the rough end of 52 points; more points than they scored on the Jays the last two seasons combined (43).
The Merrill offense finished the night with 367 total yards; 272 coming on the ground. Hoff enjoyed a breakout performance, carrying 11 for 96 yards on the ground. Reinhardt pounded out 14 carries for 60 yards and a score.
Hoff proved himself a valid dual threat as well; connecting on 9-of-12 for 95 yards, including a scoring strike to senior All-GNC receiver Jake Anderson (6-70)
“Drew is getting better each week” comments Sturm. “You can see he is feeling more comfortable at the quarterback position. He reads the option well and continues to improve in the pass game. Playing quarterback is quite difficult and Drew is doing a great job.”
The impressive production from the Bluejay ground game would prove to be a group effort on Friday, as seven different runners carried the ball, including Ty Belfiori (1-67), Lee (4-11), sophomore Jake Collinsworth (4-16) and Dalton Clayton (2-6).
“It is hard to prepare to defend us if we have multiple players able to make plays on offense. We have kids who are athletic and tough, which makes us difficult to defend. Our offensive line is really beginning to develop, and are moving people off the ball consistently.” Sturm adds.
Friday evening, the gang will hit the road east bound for the annual “War on 64” at Antigo High School. The Red Robins are 1-1 in GNC play so far this season and 1-3 overall. The Jays are 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the GNC.