MARENGO – It was a little different look, but the results were the same.
The Montezuma Braves hit Iowa Valley with a 27-0 blitz in the third quarter on their way to a 57-24 win over the Tigers in their season opening football game Saturday afternoon, Aug. 21.
The Braves, adjusting to Iowa Valley’s defense, were more ground-oriented than in most of last year’s games. They rushed for 347 yards and a 9.6 yards per carry average, while throwing for 135.
Quarterback Eddie Burgess rushed for five touchdowns and threw for two.
Burgess rushed 18 times for 264 yards, and completed seven-of-17 passes for 95 yards.
The Braves, ahead 7-6 late in the first quarter, extended their margin to 21-6 midway through the second quarter and to 30-18 by halftime.
Then came that third quarter blast to put the game out of reach.
“Overall, it was a good win against a very solid Iowa Valley team, said Coach John Beck, after his first victory as Montezuma’s top coach. “I was very proud of our resilience in this game and our ability to overcome adversity.”
“Our defense really stepped it up in the third quarter and that lead to us being able to extend the lead,” Beck said.
“We pursued and tackled well,” the coach said. “We have some things to correct, but I was very pleased with the effort.”
“Connor Van Zee did a great job in coverages and filling on run plays,” said Beck.
“Marty Knox was all over the field and had a very nice game for us. Zach Bennett gave us a great push up front and pursued to the ball well,” Beck added.
Linebacker “Eddie Burgess (team high eight tackles, seven solo) read plays very well and always finds his way to the ball,” Beck said.”
Observers around the state may note that quarterback Burgess threw for under 100 yards. “We ran the ball well,” Beck said.
“It is a benefit to have a young man like Eddie who can run our offense the way he does,” Beck said. “Eddie did a great job putting our guys in positions to succeed by checking out and into different plays.”
At 6-4 and 230 pounds, Burgess was a menacing sight for the Tiger secondary as he rushed at them 18 times for 264 yards, an average of 14.7 yards per tote. His longest started at the Braves’ three-yard line, with Burgess weaving and sprinting 77 yards for a touchdown.
“Eddie did a great job making the first man miss,” Beck said.
“Connor Van Zee and Masin Shearer had some very big runs for us,” Beck said. Van Zee had a 45-yarder for a touchdown, and Shearer made his lone carry account for a 23-yard gain.
“We got some good pushes up front with our line and our backs did a great job of finding the holes and making the first guy miss,” Beck said. “I thought all our backs ran the ball well.”
“Kennen Roadcap, Jack Brenner and TJ Townsend really took over up front in that third quarter and opened up some big holes.”
“Our receivers made some big plays and did a great job of blocking on the edge,” Beck said. “We need to improve on our routes and timing a bit, but that all comes with a bit more time,” said the coach.
Beck also said “Our special teams play was very good for the first game. Our kickoff coverage was great. Owen Cook was excellent with his kicks and PATs and a field goal. “Owen does a great job being a leader of our special teams out there.”
Montezuma led in total yards with 482 in 58 plays, while Iowa Valley had 363 in 54. Evan Kearney led the Tigers with 97 yards on 14 carries, two for touchdowns, and 95 yards on four receptions, two of those for scores.
Two Iowa Valley quarterbacks combined for 222 passing yards.
Brody Hoyt led the Tigers with 9.5 tackles.
UP NEXT – Montezuma is at HLV on Friday night, Aug. 27. HLV was a 50-0 winner over a young Calamus-Wheatland team on Friday.
Braves statistics
Passing – Eddie Burgess was 7-for-17 for 95 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. Owen Cook was 1-for-5 for 40 yards.
Rushing – Burgess 18-264, with 5 touchdowns. Connor Van Zee 2-44, with one touchdown. Masin Shearer 1-23, Brett Plants 1-5, Cruz De Jong 4-5, Garrett Watts 1-0, Owen Cook 2-(-7).
Receiving – Eli Bustamonte 2-49, Connor Van Zee 2-44 with 1 touchdown, Cam Michalek 2-17, Masin Shearer 1-14, Tod Geiger 1-11.
Tackles – Burgess 8.0, Van Zee 4.5, Plants 4.5, Marty Knox 4.5, Geiger 3.5, Garrett Watts 3.0, Bustamonte, 3.0, Zach Bennett 1.5, Jack Brenner 1.5, Keaton Stockoe 1.0, Carter Michalek 1.0, Cook 1.0, Derek Fry 0.5, Cruz De Jong 0.5.
Tackles for loss – Knox 2, Bennett 1, Burgess 1, Geiger 1.
Fumble recoveries – Bennett, no return yards.
Interceptions – Burgess, 1-36.
Kickoff returns – Watts 1-23, Van Zee 2-4, Cook 1-0, De Jong 1-0.
Punt returns – Van Zee 1-24.
Kicking – Owen Cook 10 kickoffs, four touchbacks, 442 yards. One field goal, 36 yards. Points after – 6-for-7.
Punts – Burgess, 1-38.
