O-line keys onslaught for Lumberjacks
Semi-pro football playoffs
Three weeks is a long time to sit with a defeat on your mind.
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The Brainerd Lumberjacks put the time to good use as they cruised to a 61-20 mauling in Saturday's semifinal against the Minneapolis Maulers at Harvey Shew Field in Brainerd.
Brainerd Lumberjack Ben Barrato rushed the ball against the Minnesota Maulers Saturday night at Harvey Shew Field in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls » Purchase reprints of this photo.
A 24-yard interception return for a touchdown by Tony Martin, a 59-yard fumble return setting up a 17-yard touchdown pass from Pike to Garrett Jarvela and a 3-yard field goal gave the Lumberjacks a commanding 23-0 lead with a little more than 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
The Lumberjacks continued to attack as Pike connected with Gross behind the Maulers' defense resulting in a 60-yard touchdown and a 36-0 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, the Maulers' ran a reverse play resulting in Perry Thrun eluding the Lumberjacks' pursuit with an 85-yard return for a touchdown at the end of the first half.
"It just caught our guys off guard," Lumberjacks' linebacker Mitch Feierabend said. "We wound up in the wrong spot and it resulted in a couple of big plays. Beside that, we shut them down pretty well."
Living up to their reputation, the Lumberjacks' defense allowed just 139 yards and collected four interceptions and one fumble recovery.
The results of the extra time off was evident as Brainerd returned a near full roster.
"Our bodies and minds were fresh for this game," Lumberjacks coach J. J. Kern said. "We had depth, we rotated well and that really helped us."
The Lumberjacks opening drive required just six plays resulting in a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Karson Pike to Trevor Gross.
"We came out fresh," Pike said. "We started out with the opening drive score, which we haven't done in the past couple of games. It showed we were ready to play."
Brainerd Lumberjack Caleb Fornstrom (1) went airborne on his 14-yard interception return against the Minnesota Maulers Saturday night at Harvey Shew Field in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls » Purchase reprints of this photo.
"That defense is just amazing," wide receiver Brad Simpson said about the effort of his teammates. "I can't say enough about everybody on that defense -from the secondary, to the linebackers and the linemen."
Caleb Forstrom and Feierabend led the Lumberjacks with five tackles and one interception apiece.
The three weeks off seemed to help the secondary the most, as they held the Maulers to just three catches for 57 yards.
"That was the best job I've seen them do all year, by far," Kern said. "We were keeping back and being more patient."
The only thing more inspiring than the defense, was the performance that Brett Grecula and the offensive line put on as they opened up running lanes and kept Pike virtually unscathed. The Lumberjacks' offensive line didn't surrender a sack and allowed Pike to complete 16-of-25 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns.
"It wasn't just me," Pike said. "Our guys made me look good. Our line played unreal. I sat back there all day and was able to find my receivers."
Kern echoed the sentiments of the offensive line resulting in Pike's big night.
"We had our best offensive line here and they gave him time," Kern said. "If Pike has time, he's going to make plays."
When the Maulers' changed defenses to slow down Pike, the Lumberjacks returned to the ground attack.
Shaun Peoples rushed for 82 yards and a pair of 2-yard touchdown runs. Pike scrambled his way for 105 yards rushing, highlighted by a 43-yard touchdown run late.
The win puts Pike and the Lumberjacks in the Semi-Pro Football League Championship against the Metro Phoenix starting at 6 p.m. Saturday at Harvey Shew Field.
"Ever since tryouts we knew that we had the talent on this team to win a championship," Simpson said. "Next week, we have a chance to."