Four second half touchdowns in football win

The Staples-Motley football team won their opening game of the season, 28-14 against Frazee. Elijah Claussen scored two running touchdowns and threw a pass to Alex Schultz for another touchdown. Luke Bjerga had an interception regurn for the team’s fourth touchdown. Peyton Mithun kicked all four extra points.

This is the first win in two years for the Cardinals, who did not win a game last year.

The game started as a defensive battle with no scoring in the first half. Staples-Motley opened the scoring with a one yard run by Claussen in the third quarter, followed by a 27 yard touchdown run to make the score 14-0. Frazee countered with a 17 yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. 

Schultz caught at 20 yard pass from Claussen for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Frazee cut the score to 21-14 with a five yard run.

Bjerga finished the game by stepping in front of a pass and running 10 yards for a defensive touchdown, the final score of the game.

Although they were outgained in total yards, the Cardinals converted seven out of 10 third down attempts to keep their drives going.

Team results

Staples-Motley 28, Frazee 14

Passing yards: S-M 55, F 32

Rushing yards: S-M 162, F 200

Rushing: Elijah Claussen 7-64, Blake Neelan 6-53, Colbe Tappe 6-21, Ben Tyrrell 3-16, Alex Schultz 1-2

Passing: Eli Rutten 4/6, 35 yards; Claussen 1/1, 20 yards, 1 TD

Receiving: Schultz 2-31, 1 TD; Tyrrell 1-3, Peyton Mithun 1-4

Defensive leaders: Tappe 4 tackles, 5 assists; Bennett Robinson 3/5; Neelan 2/9; Claussen 1/6; Luke Bjerga 1/6; Steven Petrich 5 assists