The Adrian Dragon football team fell on homecoming last Friday night to New Ulm Cathedral by a score of 48-21. The Dragons were able to move the ball on offense, but in the end it was Adrian’s inability to stop the Greyhound’s power running game that led to defeat.
The Dragons received the opening kickoff and drove down for a score. Ryan Wieneke capped the opening drive with a five yard touchdown run. Dominic Caneles made the PAT to make the score 7-0 Dragons.
The Greyhounds answered quickly on their opening possession as they returned the kick to Adrian’s 33 yard line. It then took them just four plays to turn the good field position into points as they scored on a five yard run. The PAT was good to tie the score at seven.
Adrian moved the ball on their next possession but was forced to punt in a fourth and 12 situation. NUC then took the lead by way of a running touchdown. The PAT was good to make the score 14-7 NUC.
The Dragon offense continued to look strong as they moved the ball quickly into Greyhound territory following the NUC touchdown. The Dragons were set up with first and goal from the two. Two consecutive holding calls pushed Adrian back and it was then first and goal from the 21. Brandon Schnoor then used his vision and speed to score on a 21 yard rushing touchdown. Caneles again connected on the PAT to tie the game at 14.
Adrian’s inability to stop NUC showed again as they gave up a 10 yard touchdown run. The two point try was successful to make the score 22-14 NUC. Adrian would be forced to punt on their next possession with little time remaining in the quarter. However, NUC would score with six seconds left in the half on a 23 yard run. The PAT failed and going into halftime the score was 28-14 NUC.
Adrian kicked an onside kick to start the third quarter. It was recovered by Wieneke to give Adrian an extra possession. The Dragons used the momentum to score a touchdown on a two yard run from Schnoor. Caneles converted the PAT to make the score 28-21.
The Dragons would again attempt an onside kick. This one hung up in the air but was eventually recovered by NUC. They would then score on a 54 yard run. The PAT was no good, leaving the score 34-21 Greyhounds.
Adrian gave the ball back to the Greyhounds after just three plays via a punt on their next possession. The story of the game continued with Adrian being unable to stop NUC. This time the touchdown came on a 65 yard run. The PAT was good, making the score 41-21 NUC.
Adrian would drive the ball down the field again, but fumbled on the five yard line. This lead to yet another touchdown via a run for NUC. Following the PAT, the score was 48-21 Adrian. Neither team would score again in the game.
The Dragons did some good things offensively in the game led by Wieneke who had 162 yards rushing including a TD on 21 carries. Brandon Schnoor accounted for 74 yards on 13 carries to go along with two scores. Lance Luettel carried 11 times for 55 yards. Dakota John ran 15 times for 40 yards and Nick Harder had 34 yards on 10 carries.
Defensively, Harder and John led the way in tackles with seven apiece. The rest of the Dragon tackle chart looked like; Michael Preuss 6, Chance Turner 5, Wieneke 5, Scot Edwards 4, Schnoor 3, Luettel 2, Skylar Dingmann 2, Tucker Wieneke 1, and Canales 1.
The Dragons will look to keep the offense on track and fix the defense next Friday when they travel to Slayton to take on the Rebels in a rivalry game.
