The Frazee Hornets pulled an upset on the road this week with a 14-6 victory over Pine River-Backus Friday.
The Tigers (3-2) came into the game with one of the best passing games in the Northstar Conference and boasting a 3-1 record.
Defensively, they were a team that ran multiple fronts and utilized some stunting to keep their opponents off balance.
"They came into the game with high expectations for another win, but the Hornets mixed things up enough to create some confusion for the Tigers and we came out with a good win," said Frazee head coach Jim Rader.
Frazee running back Cody Piper helped the Hornets keep a ball-control offense with 179 yards on 28 carries with one touchdown.
ADVERTISEMENT
The game began with PRB scoring on their opening play from scrimmage. Their QB kept the ball and slid around the right end for a long TD run to put them up 6-0 after the missed extra point.
But the Hornets responded with a long, time-consuming 70-yard scoring drive, capped off by our own QB, Baxter Bachmann, scrambling 22 yards for a touchdown.
Both teams remained scoreless for the rest of the first half, thanks in part to a big interception by the Hornet defense when PRB was on the move.
On Frazee's second series of the half, they marched down the field for another score and extra point to push the lead to 14-6.
"Defensively, the Hornets played extremely well in the second half, and the offense put together a couple good drives that came up short, including one in the fourth quarter, where we elected to go for a touchdown on fourth down instead of a field goal," Rader said. "My instincts were telling me to give Tyler Wacker a shot at the field goal, but after taking a timeout to talk to the players I gave them the shot to go for the kill."
Unfortunately for the Hornets, they missed on a play action pass.
"One big positive that came from this, was it marked the first time these young players spoke up with confidence in their abilities," the Frazee coach said. "This a great to see. They know there will be times when we will have to rein them in, but they are putting together the pieces of the puzzle and recognizing their potential.
"It is pretty rewarding to see a young team doing that....they are gaining confidence in themselves."
ADVERTISEMENT
Rader added Piper ran the ball as hard as any running back Frazee has had in recent year.
"He was absolutely vicious late in the game," Rader added.
Frazee (2-3) will host Warren-Alvarado-Oslo (3-2) Friday for a 7 p.m. start.
Hornet results
Frazee at Pine River-Backus, Friday, Sept. 30.
Hornets 7 0 7 0 -- 14
Tigers 6 0 0 0 -- 6
PR-B--Nathan Holm 65 run (kick failed) 11:40
ADVERTISEMENT
Fra--Baxter Bachman 22 run (Tyler Wacker kick) 6:49
Fra--Cody Piper 13 run (Wacker kick) 2:45
Frazee rushing (att-yds-td): Cody Piper 28-179-1; Bruce Lemon 8-27; Baxter Bachmann 7-21-1; Rij Koehnen 1 -3.
Passing (comp-att-int-td): Baxter Bachmann 5-10-59-1-0.
Receiving (rec-yds-td): Daniel Janu 4-51; Bruce Lemon 1-8.
Defense (1 pt tackle, .5 pt assisted tackle): Dan Janu 7.5 pts, 2 sacks; Jake Galbrecht 7 pts, 2 sacks; Rick Brandt 6.5 pts; Garrett Malstrom 3.5 pts, sack; Zach Nelson 1 Int.
