Pierz clinches share of conference title

PIERZ -- The Pierz Pioneers wrapped up at least a share of the Central Minnesota Conference title with a 34-20 win over the Rockford Rockets on Friday night.

Late in the first quarter, and Pierz leading 8-6, Craig Luberts decided to take the game over by scoring three of the next four Pioneers touchdowns on runs of 6, 1, and 32 yards and essentially put the game out of the reach of the Rockets. Luberts finished with 20 carries for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

"This was a very big win for us against a good team," said Pierz coach Leo Pohlkamp. "We also came out healthy, which is a big plus since we play again on Wednesday night."

Rockford 6 0 0 14 -- 20

Pierz 14 6 14 0 -- 34

First quarter

P--Sam Kasper 3 pass from Dan Saehr (Austin Krohn kick) 9:55

R--Josh Kuehn 35 interception return (kick failed) 6:46

P--Craig Luberts 6 run (Krohn kick) 2:09

Second quarter

P-John Kahl 11 pass from Saehr (kick failed) 2:00

Third quarter

P--Luberts 1 run (Krohn kick) 6:09

P--Luberts 32 run (Krohn kick) 1:46

Fourth quarter

R--Nate Faue 9 run (pass failed) 10:02

R--Alex Knodell 44 pass from Kurt Elden (Faue pass from Elden) 5:02

Team statistics

First downs -- P 19; R 12

Rushes-yards -- P 42-186; R 26-98

Pass comp-att-int-yards -- P 14-23-2-188; R 8-24-3-142

Total offense --P 374; R 240

Fumbles-lost -- P 1-1; R 2-2

Penalties-yards lost -- P 9-45; R 5-38

Individual statistics

Rushing --P-Luberts 20-131, Poepping 1-16, Craig Kapsner 6-20, Josh Otremba 6-11, Zach Grunst 4-8, Mitch Weber 1-1, Dan Saehr 4-1; R-Faue 5-29, Brent Tieri 6-26

Passing -- P-Saehr 12-20-1-170, Luberts 1-1-0-7, Weber 1-2-0-11; R-Elden 8-24-3-142

Receiving --P-Mark Poepping 3-81, John Kahl 7-63, Sam Kasper 3-26, Kapsner 1-7; R-Faue 1-45, Tieri 2-37, Chris Freehan 2-14

Conference -- P 6-0. Overall --P 7-0. Next game -- Pierz at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.