Pierz balanced in conference win

HOWARD LAKE - Brandon Meyer threw for 101 yards and a touchdown as the 10th-ranked Pierz Pioneers defeated Howard Lake-Waverly 42-26 Tuesday to close out the Central Minnesota Conference season at 6-1 and 7-1 overall.

Mitch Woitalla rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Also scoring twice was fullback Cody Stangl, who rumbled 78 yards on 15 carries. Jake Nelson returned from injury to rush for 49 yards.

The Pierz defense picked off three passes leading to its 35-14 halftime lead.

Pierz 14 21 0 7 - 42

Howard Lake-Waverly 7 7 6 6 - 26

First quarter

P-Mitch Woitalla 5 run (Travis Kahl kick)

P-Andy Kretschmar 18 pass from Brandon Meyer (Kahl kick)

HLW-Quin Leaf 15 pass from Jace Whitcomb (Jake Grangroth kick)

Second quarter

P-Zach Pohlkamp 1 run (Kahl kick)

P-Cody Stangl 16 run (Kahl kick)

HLW-Joe Jaros 32 pass from Whitcomb (Grangroth kick)

P-Woitalla 26 run (Kahl kick)

Third quarter

HLW-Jakob Thisius 31 pass from Whitecomb (kick failed)

Fourth quarter

P-Stangl 2 run (Kahl kick)

HLW-Adam Klinkner 57 run (run failed)

Individual statistics

Rushing: Prz-Stangl 15-78, Woitalla 13-105, Sean Huls 818, Jake Nelson 7-49, Pohlkamp 1-1, Kahl 8-23, HLW-Klinkner 14-168

Passing: Prz Pohlkamp 1-1-26, Meyer 6-10-101, HL-W-Whitcomb 12-25-178

Receiving: Prz-Kretschmar 3-57, Dylan Kummet 2-34, Zach Kummet 1-22, Kahl 1-14

Conference: Prz 6-1. Overall: Prz 7-1. Next game: Pierz in Section 6-2A quarerfinals TBA.