Photo by Lee Epps
The game turned on two punt returns and a 30-yard reception by Jaxon Strinmoen as Spring Grove remained undefeated with a come-from-behind 34-12 home win against Grand Meadow. The Superlarks dominated the clock with 69 plays to only 27 for the Lions and twice as many first downs. But SG prevailed with superior speed and a few big plays. Lion quarterback Bryce Berns scored with a 62-yard sprint on the game’s second play. On the next play from scrimmage, Superlark Dalton Pischke bolted 61 yards to the one yard-line. Corbin Ludemann scored on the next play. SG still led 7-6, but a lost Lion fumble set up a Ludemann 19-yard TD run for a 12-7 GM lead. Strinmoen put SG ahead to stay with a 70-yard punt return TD. The Lions led 14-12 due to two Ben Udstuen PAT kicks. A 30-yard, fourth-down, deep pass from Berns to Strinmoen went to the one. Strinmoen then scored with a one-yard catch (SG 20-12). In the third quarter, Strinmoen returned a punt 56 yards to set up Jacob Olerud’s 14-yard TD run (SG 28-12). Zach Brumm made a leaping 22-yard grab in the end zone to close scoring, 34-12. Berns (3-11, 53 yards) completed three passes, two for touchdowns. All five GM pass attempts were incomplete. The Larks operated out of a throwback two-tight end, four-man backfield formation that depended on deceptive fakes and handoffs. Once the Lion “D” adjusted, neither Pischke (16-105, TD rushing) nor Ludemann (24-90, 2 TDs rushing) were able to break free again. Time expired to halt a 16-play, 44-yard GM possession. Brumm had 25 tackles for SG, Olerud 21. SG (2-0, 3-0) is ranked #2. GM dropped to 0-2, 0-2.
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