Pierz defense proves too much for Morris

PIERZ - When all else fails play defense.

With its offense sputtering and special teams fumbling the top-ranked Pierz Pioneers relied on defense Saturday.

Pierz head the fourth-seeded Morris Tigers to 147 yards of offense to win the Section 6-2A semifinal football game 28-12 and advance to its sixth straight section finals.

The win is the seventh straight for the Pioneers, who will travel to the Fargodome for the fourth time in six years. They own a 3-0 record at the dome, including last year's 14-6 victory over Breckenridge. The same two teams will square off 5 p.m. Friday.

"That's amazing," said Pierz senior Tyler Monson. "The atmosphere of the dome and the fans there with how loud it gets is just amazing.

Pierz 28, Morris 12

Key: Pierz held Morris to 147 yards of total offense and Michael Weber hit Tyler Monson for a 70-yard touchdown pass to seal the win

Overall: Prz 9-1, M 5-5

Next: Pierz vs. Breckenridge in Section 6-2A final at Fargodome, Fargo, N.D. 5:30 p.m. Friday.

"In my mind getting back to the dome was a realistic goal, but I don't think it was with my teammates. Now we just have to get it done one more time."

The Pioneers defense got it done holding Morris to 74 rushing and 73 passing yards. Most of those came on the Tigers two points-producing drives. The first was a 34-yard run by Tyler Hansen. The score was set up when Morris recovered a muffed punt. It was the second muffed punt by Pierz with Morris recovering both.

The Tigers second score came on a 3-play, 55-yard drive late in the fourth quarter. Aside from that The Tigers' offense was trapped.

"We focused a lot on defense," said Pierz head coach Leo Pohlkamp. "We had two Long Prairie running backs go for over 100 yards against (Tuesday). So we really focused on defense and for the most part our defense played very well. We wanted this defense to step up and they did."

Pierz answered Morris' first score when senior quarterback Michael Weber hit Tyler Monson for a 70-yard touchdown reception. The play was put into the offense this week to give Monson more opportunities to produce points.

"I was just thinking don't let it slip through me," said Monson with a laugh. "It honestly seemed like the ball was in the air for 10 seconds.

"We just put in this play this week and I just ran down the field and was wide open."

Pierz scored early thanks to a Jake Zahurones fumble recovery at the Morris 10. On Pierz's first play from scrimmage, Tanner Tetrick scored from 10-yards out. The senior tailback added an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter when he busted through the line of scrimmage and darted 54-yards for Pierz's final score. Tetrick finished with 119 yards on 10 carries.

Cody Stangl carried the ball 20 times for 81 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run that gave the Pioneers a 14-0 halftime lead. The drive started on the Morris 38. Pierz powered its way to the 3 with eight runs at the heart of the Morris defense.

Pierz totaled 302 rushing yards and Weber threw for 93 yards, but the Pioneers had to overcome eight penalties for 60 yards and the two muffed punts.

"We've had a number of kids back to catch punts this season," said Pohlkamp. "You watch the NFL, if you can't catch the punt you're out of there. I'm just glad it didn't cost us the game."

Morris 0 0 6 6 - 12

Pierz 7 7 0 14 - 28

First quarter

Prz-Tanner Tetrick 10 run (Travis Kahl kick) 10:58

Second quarter

Prz-Cody Stangl 3 run (Kahl kick) 3:57

Third quarter

M-Tyler Hansen 34 run (run failed) 0:07

Fourth quarter

Prz-Tyler Monson 70 pass from Michael Weber (Kahl kick) 6:19

Prz-Tetrick 54 run (Kahl kick) 2:31

M-Hansen 18 pass from Matt Wulf (pass failed) 1:26

Team statistics

First downs: Prz 16, M 9

Rushes-yards: Prz 44-302, M26-73

Pass comp-att-int-yards: Prz 5-13-0-93, M 8-20-0-73

Total offense: Prz 57-395, M 46-147

Fumbles-lost: Prz 1-1, M 2-1

Penalties-yards lost: Prz 8-60, M 8-40

Individual statistics

Rushing: Prz-Tanner Tetrick 10-119, Cody Stangl 20-86, Zach Doroff 5-62, John Omann 7-41, Michael Weber 2-(-6); M-Tyler Hansen 9-30

Passing: Prz-Weber 5-14-93; M-Matt Wulf 8-20-73

Receiving: Prz-Tyler Monson 2-77, Doroff 2-11, Chad Lanners 1-5; M-Hansen 5-57

JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.