First Quarter Leads GM Past Houston

It took one quarter from Grand Meadow (2-seed, 9-1) to seize control of their Section 1 9-Man title game with Houston (5-seed, 7-3).  The ‘Canes’ first offensive play was a fumble.  On 4th and 9 from the 24, Lark QB Evan Oehlke scrambled 22 yards to the two yard-line.  Dusty Copley capped the short field drive (2-yard run) for the 7-0 lead.  Houston then went three and out.  GM got big plays from Oehlke and Taylor Glynn (25-yard pass), then Copley again (20-yard run).  Copley’s second TD run (6-yards) made it 14-0.   The ‘Canes got a first down on their third series, but punted.  Oehlke then found Glynn for a 42-yard TD pass.  The quarter ended with it 21-0 GM.  A 13-play, 87-yard second quarter drive (Daniel Smith 3-yard TD run) made it 28-0 at the half.  The Gary Sloan led Larks ended the Hurricanes underdog romp in the post-season, 35-0.  Houston had four turnovers to GM’s zero.  Wyatt Walters (23-121 yards, two fumbles) led the ground attack.  Mikkel Schutte was 6 of 21 for 70 yards with two interceptions.  Alex Van Gundy caught three for 47 yards.  Copley (22-79, 2 TDs rushing), Oehlke (4-5, 140 yards, TD passing), and Glynn (3-90, TD receiving) led GM.  The ‘Canes finish 7-4, as Section 1 9-Man’s runner-up for a second consecutive year.  Houston is now 31-11 the last four years under Cody Hungerholt.  They’ll graduate seniors Schutte, Walters, Ben Walters, Van Gundy, Alec Francis, Dustin Stampka, Cade Roth, and Jon Smith.