Same story for the Rebels in defeat
Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 24, 2006
By Albert Lea Tribune
WATERVILLE &8212; Turnovers and more turnovers, that seems to be the Achilles heel of the United South Central football team this season as three interceptions and a fumble spelled defeat for the fourth time in as many games.
The Rebels fell to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 39-18 Friday night and are still looking for that first win of the season. USC has averaged four turnovers a game this year and the Buccaneers took full advantage of the Rebels&8217; missed opportunities.
After falling behind 14-0 the Rebels got back in the ballgame on a 7-yard touchdown reception by Chris Yost to pull USC to within one score at 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.
USC trailed 20-6 at the half but pulled as close as 20-12 early in the third on a 3-yard plunge by Jacob Bonsack.
The Rebels hit paydirt for the last time on the night early in the fourth quarter
when Jordan Stenzel scored from 12 yards out for a 27-18 WEM advantage.
WEM would score two more times before the clock ran out to reach the final.
&8220;Turnovers, that&8217;s been the name of the game for us this year,&8221; said USC head coach Brent Schimek. &8220;We turn it over in the red zone, going into score way to many times for us to win. That&8217;s 16 turnovers in four games, that&8217;s been our game.&8221;
Kevin George added nine tackles on defense and had 63 yards in kick returns for the Rebels.
With the loss, the Rebels drop to 0-4 on the season. USC hosts rival Maple River in the Highway 22 Battle next Friday night for homecoming. Maple River comes into the game undefeated and ranked seventh in Class 3A.
WEM 39, USC 18
WEM
14
6
7
12 &045; 39
USC
6
0
6
6
&045; 18
First Quarter
W-E-M &045; Tyler Felke 5 run (kick good)
W-E-M &045; Adam Smith 3 run (kick good)
USC &045; Chris Yost 7 pass from Jordan Stenzel (kick failed)
Second Quarter
W-E-M &045; Justin Ellensworth 43 pass from Justin Gregor (kick failed)
Third Quarter
USC &045; Jacob Bonsack 3 run (kick failed)
W-E-M &045; Travis Swartz 12 pass from Gregor (kick good)
Fourth Quarter
USC &045; Stenzel 12 run (kick failed)
W-E-M &045; Mike Kaplin 30 pass from Gregor (kick failed)
W-E-M &045; Brice Melkhert 42 run (kick failed)
Individual Statistics
Rushing &045; Jordan Stenzel 11-83
Passing &045; Stenzel 3 of 13 119 yards, TD, 3 INT.
Receiving &045; Chris Yost 2-91