The last time M-C and Lanesboro played in football, it was to end last season. Gavin Johnson scored with 17 seconds left to propel the Cougars to a 26-20 win. The last time Lanesboro had a freshman running back of note (prior to last year), his name was Niko Anderson. To begin this season, the Burros relied upon another RB who played as a freshman. Behind now sophomore J.T. Rein’s exploits, energetic Lanesboro opened the season victorious. James Semmen’s group posted four TDs. Rein had three of them. In the first, he bobbled a punt, assumed control, and then returned it 57 yards for the game’s initial score. M-C subsequently staved off a Lanesboro scoring threat; Ethan Underbakke intercepted a Seth Semmen pass in the red zone. The Cougars then went 78 yards in 11 plays, Underbakke scoring on a 25-yard TD pass from Jack Arneson to make it 7-6 Lanesboro. Rein then posted TD runs (two yards, 14 yards) in the second and third quarters, giving the visiting Burros a 19-6 lead. After an M-C turnover, to begin the fourth, QB Semmen found Ben Snyder for a nice falling 21-yard TD in the back corner of the end zone. M-C found the red zone later in the quarter, but a fumble pretty much ended the game. In a solid defensive battle between two teams that played just three seniors, Lanesboro prevailed 25-6. Rein (18-50, 2 TDs rushing; 3-17 receiving; 57-yard PR TD) led the Burros, assisted by Semmen (5-13, 46 yards, TD, INT passing), Jake Gathje (11-47 rushing), and Snyder (2-29, TD receiving). M-C was led by the Arneson (8-13, 98 yards, TD, INT passing) to Underbakke (5-77, TD receiving) connection. Johnson (18-72 rushing) led the ground attack. The Burro “D” held M-C to under 100 yards rushing. The Cougars out-gained Lanesboro 204 to 143. The Burros three scoring drives were all on short fields (started in M-C territory). Lanesboro won the turnover-battle 4 to 1, notched a blocked punt, and authored three sacks (in sequence). Cale Anderson got credited with forcing a fumble and recovering two. Lanesboro (1-0, 1-0) now leads M-C (0-1, 0-1) in their 9-man series 11 to 9.
Burros Rein/Reign Over M-C
