The Dragons had the lead in the third quarter by a score of 10-7, but were unable to hold on as MCC scored 13 unanswered points to win by a score of 20-10.
MCC received the opening kick and had the Dragon defense on their heels as they marched the ball down to the Dragon 14 yard line in three plays. Brandon Schnoor was able to put a halt to the drive when he picked off a Rebel pass in the endzone. Adrian however, could not capitalize on the interception as they were forced to punt after just three plays. MCC continued where they left off and marched the ball down the field, eventually scoring on a three yard run from their quarterback. The point after touchdown was good, making the score 7-0 MCC.
The Dragons were again forced to punt after running three offensive plays. Dominic Canales’ punt put the ball on the Rebel 22 yard line. The Dragons were able to take advantage of a holding call against the Rebels to force a punt.
Adrian started their next drive on the Rebel 47 yard line. Adrian used the power running of Schnoor and Dakota John to move the ball to the four yard line. Schnoor then took a fourth down handoff off left tackle for the touchdown. Canales’ PAT was good, tying the score at seven with 10:06 left to play in the second quarter.
The Dragons got a break on the following kickoff when the squib kick went off a Rebel. Axel Martinez recovered the ball for Adrian, giving them another possession. Adrian could not take advantage of the break and punted after three plays.
The Rebels and the Dragons would each punt again before the half came to an end with the score tied at seven.
The Dragons received the second half kickoff. Adrian gained four first downs on the drive but were forced into a fourth and long on the Rebel 14 yard line. Canales then made a 31 yard field goal to put the Dragons up 10-7.
Adrian forced a fourth and six after the next three plays, but a fake punt was successful to keep the Rebel drive going. It proved to be costly for Adrian as they gave up a 33 yard rushing touchdown three plays later. The PAT was good, putting the Rebels up 14-10.
The Dragon offense could not shift the momentum and were forced to punt after three plays. MCC would get the ball back and march down to the Dragon 31 yard line before being faced with a fourth and six. The Rebels struck again, this time for a 31 yard passing touchdown down the right sideline. The PAT failed, leaving the score MCC 20 Adrian 10.
The Dragons and Rebels traded punts when Adrian got the ball back on their own five yard line. Adrian was able to move the ball down to the Dragon 46 yard line before turning it over on downs. MCC ran out the clock, giving the Dragons a 20-10 homecoming defeat.
Schnoor led the Dragon rushing attack with 22 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown. John ran 15 times for 59 yards. Preston Nelson carried three times for 15 yards. Marshall Wagner ran six times for five yards. Canales converted a fake punt with a five yard run. Wagner completed three passes for 44 yards in the game. Brady Vortherms had one catch for 26 yards., Schnoor caught one pass for nine yards while Trace Kremin caught one for nine yards.
The Dragon defense was led by Logan Taylor who tallied seven tackles. Scot Edwards recorded six tackled including two for loss. John and Nelson each contributed with six tackles. Skylar Dingmann and Lance Luettel (TFL) each took down the ball carrier five times. Schnoor and Wagner were credited with four tackles each. Vortherms and Christian Weidert each had three tackles Canales, Ian Stamer, and Kremin rounded out the defense with two tackles each.
The Dragons will look to rebound when they take on Canby next Thursday night in Adrian. The game has a scheduled 6:30 kickoff time.
