Too many mistakes and sloppy play led to a 15-7 loss for the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva football team Friday against Minnesota Valley Lutheran in New Ulm.

The Panthers (4-2, 3-2 Gopher Valley AA) committed seven penalties, lost a fumble, which was returned for a touchdown and allowed a safety for the fourth time this season as the Chargers (3-3, 3-2 Gopher Valley AA) dominated NRHEG.

“We still need to eliminate mistakes and strive to improve with each and every rep we take in practice and in games,” said Panthers head coach Dan Stork.

MVL gained 300 total yards on 70 plays and picked up 17 first downs, compared to just three first downs for NRHEG.

Ironically, the Panthers jumped on top of the Chargers in the first quarter when Kevin Klocek rumbled 69 yards for a touchdown. NRHEG held the lead until Kyle Henrich recovered a Panther fumble and returned it with 25 seconds to play in the first half that tied the game.

In the second half NRHEG gave up a safety and MVL took an 8-6 lead. Galen Holzhueter scored the only offensive touchdown for the Chargers in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run.

The Panthers host Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Friday.

MVL 15, NRHEG 6

NRHEG 6 0 0 0 — 6

MVL 0 6 2 7 — 15

First Quarter

NRHEG—Klocek 69 run (kick failed), 3:17.

Second Quarter

MVL—Henrich 30 fumble recovery return (kick failed), :25.

Third Quarter

MVL—Safety, 1:37.

Fourth Quarter

MVL—Galen Holzhueter 1 run (kick good), 4:50.

NRHEG MVL

First Downs 3 17

Total Net Yards 146 300

Rushes-Yards 26-137 59-234

Passing 9 66

Punt Returns 0-0 0-0

Punts 4-23.3 1-37

Kickoff Returns 3-40 3-48

Interceptions-Ret. 1-4 0-0

Comp-Att-Int 1-10-0 4-11-1

Sacked-Yard lost NA 1-(minus 4)

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-2

Penalties-Yards 7-57 6-50

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Klocek, 5-79, Wagner 12-45, Lindell 4-19, Bolinger 5-(minus 6). MVL, Evers 28-132, Holzhueter 21-72, Johnson 10-30.

PASSING—NRHEG, Bolinger 1-10-0-9. MVL, Evers 4-11-1-66.

RECEIVING—NRHEG, Lindell 1-9. MVL, Hoffman 3-51, Wolf 1-15.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.