Audubon Vs Winfield Mount Union At Martensdale
Winfield Mount Union 68
Audubon 36
Audubon opened the season Saturday in an showcase of 8-man football in Martensdale. The young Wheelers struggled early in the game, giving up a pick six, but rebounded with three scores in the 2nd quarter, including one just before half, giving them the lead at half. Things turned early in the 2nd half. Winfield Mount Union ate up clock on the opening drive, scoring a touchdown to regain the lead. They held the Wheelers and scored again, building a two to three score lead and put the game away late with a onside kick, returned for a touchdown and a blocked punt for a safety.
Winfield Mount Union scored a touchdown on all six possessions in the 2nd half, finishing with 390 yards rushing and 110 yards passing. Audubon had a couple big runs, but struggled to consistently run the ball, finishing with 106 yards rushing and 56 yards passing.
Audubon faced a 2nd and long on their opening possession from the 30-yard line. They looked to pass but Cam Buffington jumped the route and returned it for a touchdown, putting Winfield Mount Union up 8-0. The Wheelers went three and out their next possession, punting the ball to the Wolves. They marched down the field, getting inside the Wheelers 15. Audubon defense dug deep, forcing a 4th down, getting a stop with nice coverage in the end zone, causing an incomplete pass. That stand helped turn momentum in favor of the Wheelers. They took over the ball at their own 14 but were forced to punt again. The defense made a stop, forcing a Wolves punt late in the 1st quarter. The Wheelers took over with good field position at the Wolves 29. Aaron Olsen dropped back to pass, finding Manny Beisswenger for an 11 yard gain. Olsen then carried the ball three straight plays, scoring on an 11 yard run early in the 2nd quarter. The 2-point conversion tied the game at 8. Winfield Mount Union went back ahead by 8 when Buffington scored on a 14 yard run. The lead didn’t last long. Manny Beisswenger took the ensuing kickoff, returning it 77 yards for the touchdown. The Wheelers knotted the game at 16 with a 2-point conversion. The Wolves ate up over six minutes, scoring a touchdown with 0:38 left in the half. The 2-point conversion failed and the Wheelers trailed late. Winfield Mount Union tried a short kick and it went out of bounds, giving Audubon great field position. Aaron Olsen found Evan Alt for a 23 yard touchdown pass on the 3rd play. The conversion gave Audubon a 24-22 lead at half. Audubon went into the locker room out scoring the Wolves, 24-14 in the 2nd quarter.
The Wolves got the ball first to start the 2nd half, marching down the field, scoring on a 5 yard run by Abram Edwards. Their drive lasted nearly six minutes. An Audubon penalty on their next drive took them out of a 4th and 2 and forced them to punt, going three and out. Cam Buffington broke off a 36 yard touchdown run, extending the Wolves lead to 38-24 with 2:42 left in the 3rd quarter. The Wheelers were forced to punt, giving the ball back to the Wolves. Buffington got the edge and broke a couple tackles on a 4th and 1, scoring from 24 yards. The Wheelers trailed 46-24 early in the 4th quarter. Aaron Olsen brought the Wheelers right back, taking the ball right, then cutting back left, getting the sideline, scoring on a nifty 51 yard run. Audubon trailed 46-30 with 8;30 left in the game. They needed a stop but the Wolves scored again, extending the lead to 52-30. An Evan Alt 29 yard touchdown run, pulled Audubon within 16 with 7:04 left but the Wheelers onside kick was picked up by Cam Buffington who raced 38 yards for a touchdown. The Wolves added a 60 yard touchdown run and a blocked punt for a safety to end the game.
Aaron Olsen led the Wheelers with 76 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. Evan Alt added 37 yard rushing and 23 yards receiving, combining for a pair of touchdowns. The Wheelers had four players in double figures in tackles with Logan Schmidt and Grant Gleason each with 10, Cooper Nielsen had 11 and Gavin Larsen finished with 15. Manny Beisswenger had a 77 yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Audubon Stats
Aaron Olsen 5-10 passing, 56 yards 1 TD— 19 carries, 76 yards, 2 touchdowns
Evan Alt 3 carries, 29 yards— 1 reception 23 yards
Manny Beisswenger 3 receptions, 32 yards– 77 yard kickoff return touchdown
Logan Schmidt 10 tackles
Grant Gleason 10 tackles
Cooper Nielsen 11 tackles
Gavin Larsen 15 tackles
Box Score
Teams 1 2 3 4 Final
Audubon 0 24 0 12 36
Winfield 8 14 16 30 68
