WAYLAND – WACO’s scheme on offense caused the unbeaten Montezuma Braves football team to make some on-field adjustments on defense.
But the Warriors (3-3) were not able to adjust to the versatility of the Braves, who hit them with a 29-point second quarter on their way to a 55-20 victory on Friday evening, Oct. 3.
The win moved Class 8’s fifth-rated Braves to 6-0 on the season.
WACO’s sweeps got Braves defenders tangled up at times early in the game. The Warriors converted a fourth-and-four at midfield by an inch. Then quarterback Will Edeker faked play action and passed 34 yards for a touchdown.
“We started off rattled,” said Montezuma Coach Pat O’Brien. “We needed to get our energy up and do our assignments,” the coach said.
Montezuma trailed for one of the few times this season. But not for long. Quarterback Eddie Burgess mixed passing and his own running plays as Montezuma moved sharply down the field.
The score came on leaping grab by Cole Watts in the left front corner of the end zone on a pass from Burgess that covered 16 yards. Owen Cook toed the point after, Montezuma led 7-6 and never looked back.
Burgess hit on 19 of 25 pass attempts for the game, good for 272 yards and five touchdowns.
Wide receiver Trey Shearer caught nine of those passes, three for touchdowns and for 164 yards total.
Burgess showed a deft soft touch in getting the ball to Shearer out on the boundary bubble, as wide receiver Cole Watts ran deep or crossing routes to draw the defense out.
Burgess didn’t forget about Watts. He hit him in stride with five passes, good for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Burgess continued his downhill rushing attack, running the football 11 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns.
Montezuma’s defense, meanwhile, flowed better to the flanks on WACO running plays, and defended deep balls more than well enough.
Cole Watts set up a Montezuma touchdown with an interception and return to the red zone. Connor Van Zee also intercepted a pass.
The Braves led 13-6 after one quarter, 42-12 at halftime and 55-12 through three quarters.
Trey Shearer returned the second half kickoff 59 yards for a touchdown, giving him four scores for the game.
Burgess, Brian Diaz, Joey Kercheval and Connor Van Zee were active in flowing to the outside on defense, while Kodie Strong provided contain out on the edge.
Burgess had 9.0 tackles and Diaz had 6.5, including 4.0 for lost yardage.
“We played well,” O’Brien said. “Overall, it was a good win.”
RECORDS – Trey Shearer caught three touchdown passes, bringing his total for the season to 13. Cole Watts grabbed two, and he now totals 10. Those are the top two totals for one season for all time in Montezuma. In fairness, it must be pointed out that Jamie Arendt’s total of nine in 1989 came while playing 11-man football.
UP NEXT – Montezuma goes for an unbeaten regular season at home against Lone Tree on Friday, Oct. 9.
Stats vs. WACO
Passing – Eddie Burgess was 19-25 for 272 yards and five touchdowns.
Rushing – Burgess 11-68, two touchdowns; Kodie Strong 3-10, Brady Ogan 1-1.
Receiving – Trey Shearer 9-164, three touchdowns; Cole Watts 5-70 with two touchdowns; Strong 3-27, Connor Van Zee 1-6, Joey Kercheval 1-5.
Tackles – Burgess 9.0, Brian Diaz 6.5 (4.0 for loss); Van Zee 5.5 (1.0); Kercheval 4.0, Camden Michalek 2.5; Cole Watts 2.5, Matt Karadios 2.0, Todd Geiger 1.0 (2.0 for loss); Garrett Watts 1.0, Masin Shearer 1.0, Tyler Vanderford 0.5, Trey Shearer 0.5, Ogan 0.5, Cruz DeJong 0.5.
Fumble recovery – Vanderford 1.
Safety – Vanderford.
Kickoff returns – T. Shearer 2-70, one touchdown.
Punt returns – T. Shearer 1-5.
Kicking – Owen Cook nine kickoffs for 403 yards and five touchbacks; 5-8 on points after touchdowns.
Punts – Trey Shearer 1-11.