photo by Mike Simmons

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva senior Greg Ramaker leaves one Martin County West player on the ground as he steps just inside the pylon for a 7-6 Panther advantage Friday night. Ramaker rushed for 209 yards in NRHEG’s 48-14 blowout over the Mavericks.

NRHEG rolls over MCW

Ramaker goes over 200 yards rushing again in 48-14 win

By Mike Simmons | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Saturday, September 6, 2008

NEW RICHLAND — The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva football team ran its record to 2-0 Friday night against Valley Conference opponent Martin County West in New Richland.

Thanks to a brutal running game by the Panthers that netted 325 yards on the ground, 209 of those courtesy of Greg Ramaker, NRHEG overpowered the Mavericks 48-14.

“You have to give those guys credit, (MCW) they’re a good football team, they battled all the way to the end,” said Panthers head coach Dan Stork.

What Stork and the Panthers didn’t expect though was to fall behind in the first quarter after the Mavericks recovered a NRHEG fumble. Two successful fourth down attempts later and the Mavericks were pushing it in from two yards out for a 6-0 lead with 4:27 remaining in the first quarter.

“To be honest, that was a little bit of a shock to us,” Stork said. “We new they had some good backs but we didn’t expect to be down so early, the turnover really cost us in that situation.”

In return NRHEG ate up the remaining four minutes of the first quarter and took the lead 7-6 on a Ramaker nine yard scamper. The big play of the drive was by first year quarterback Payden Peterson who connected on a 49 yard bomb to Jonathan Kormann to set up the score.

On the Mavericks next possession NRHEG’s Eli Bushlack intercepted a pass but two plays later the Panthers gave it right back on a fumble, their only turnover of the night.

After a MCW three and out the Panthers went on a 10 play drive and extended their lead to 13-6 on a Peterson to Keith Billing pass from 25 yards out.

The fatal blow came not in the closing minutes of regulation, but in the final seconds of the first half after junior Brett Hagen picked off a MCW pass and ran 41 yards all the way to the Mavericks five. From there Peterson gave the Panthers a 21-6 advantage heading to the locker room.

“That Hagen, he almost returned that interception for a touchdown, that was great,” said Stork. “He is just the nicest kid, loves the game of football, I was glad to see that happen for him.”

Just midway through the third Peterson connected for his second touchdown pass, this a 44-yard strike to Colton Schlaak for an almost insurmountable 28-6 lead.

From that point on this one was a game of big plays, starting with Ramaker who sprinted 73 yards to make it 35-6. A Danny Wagner score put the Panthers in front 42-6 but on the Mavericks first play after the kickoff Kaleb Anderson broke free for a 96 yard score and a 48-14 final.

Ramaker led the Panthers with 27 carries for 209 yards and two scores while Wagner added 53 on just six touches. Peterson went 4-for-8 with 115 yards and two TD’s. David Lindell, Kevin Klocek, and Jared Anderson all had six tackles to lead a balanced defensive effort.

The Panthers will put their 2-0 record on the line next Friday when they travel to Lake Crystal.

NRHEG 48, MCW 14

NRHEG - 7 14 14 13 - 48

MCW - 6 0 0 8 - 14

First Quarter

MCW - Jon Traetow 2 run (kick fail)

NRHEG - Greg Ramaker 9 run (kick good)

Second Quarter

NRHEG - Keith Billing 17 pass from Peterson (kick fail)

NRHEG - Peterson 5 run (conv. good)

Third Quarter

NRHEG - Colton Schlaak 44 pass from Peterson (kick good)

NRHEG - Ramaker 77 run (kick good)

Fourth Quarter

NRHEG - Danny Wagner 3 run (kick good)

MCW - Kaleb Anderson 96 run (conv. good)

NRHEG - Seth Hanson 1 run (conv. fail)