Offense continues to roll

The Brainerd football team's offense rolled Friday night and once again it followed the lead of senior quarterback Nate Schaefbauer.

After putting up nearly 400 yards against Bemidji, the Warriors are now averaging 339 total yards of offense per game, 156 rushing and 183 passing.

It is a balanced offense that has consistently put points on the board, averaging nearly 25 per game.

Schaefbauer has already passed for 732 yards on the season at a remarkable completion rate of over 80 percent.

Other offensive standouts through four games include senior wide receiver Turner Johnson who has hauled in 18 receptions for 216 yards and senior wide receiver Bronson Shepherd who now has 11 receptions for 226 yards and a touchdown.

Leading the rushing attack is Colby Ring, who has 40 carries for 220 yards and four touchdowns.

Ring said one of the biggest reasons for this season's offensive surge is the ever-improving offensive line.

"They are definitely getting better each game," he said. "They started off good but they're getting even better. It's great to run through those big holes and have that kind of protection."

Point after an issue

Despite everything that went right Friday night in the Warriors' 31-15 victory, one aspect of Brainerd's game was severely lacking.

After the ball crossed the endzone line five times for six-point touchdown scores, Brainerd had a difficult time taking on any extra points.

For the night, senior kicker Brian Sexton was just one of three on extra point kicks, one being the result of a poor snap and hold.

In the two-point conversion category, the Warriors were zero for two. Brainerd added just one point after its five touchdowns on a third-quarter Sexton kick.

Defense steps up

No matter who the opponent, Brainerd's defense made an impressive statement Friday night by only giving up 84 yards through three quarters of play.

The Warriors had held its first two opponents to under 200 total yards offense each, before giving up 330 to Rocori last Friday.

An offensive outburst by the Lumberjacks against the second-string defense helped them bring their night's total to 250.

TY RUSHMEYER can be reached at ty.rushmeyer@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5865.