A strong opening first quarter was the difference as Mound Westonka defeated the Hornets football team 41-26 last Friday.
The WhiteHawks held a 15-point lead after the first quarter of action, which would prove to be the difference in the game.
Big Lake had three different players score touchdowns, including the first of the year for QB Carson Gellerman. But the team was unable to slow down Mound’s offense. The WhiteHawks threw for 279 yards and ran for another 175 on the ground.
Mound Westonka received the opening kickoff and drove down the field to the Big Lake 31-yard line. The Hornets looked like they would get a stop when the WhiteHawks were facing fourth and nine. But the opponents were able to convert and scored just two plays later to take a 7-0 lead.
Big Lake’s first drive stalled out just short of the 50 when they were stopped on fourth down on their own 48. The WhiteHawks were able to capitalize on the short field and punch in another score to take a 15-0 lead into the first break.
The second quarter started with Mound extending their lead to 18 on a 26-yard field goal. Big Lake got on the board shortly after on a Gellerman six-yard touchdown run. The WhiteHawks scored again to take a 26-6 lead, but the Hornets answered immediately by Montell Hester returning the ensuing kickoff 90-yards for a touchdown. One more score by the visitors made the score 33-13 at the half.
Reid Josewski started the scoring in the second half on a six-yard touchdown run of his own. From there the two teams traded scores, Big Lake’s coming on the legs of Hester again, this time in the form of a 24-yard run. He finished with 44 rushing yards. The two-point try was successful, making the final 41-26.
In his first game of the season Gellerman finished the day 8-12 passing for 167 yards and an interception. He added 17 yards and a score on the ground. His leading receiver was Jack Midas, who caught six passes for 122 yards.
Carter Stromberg was the leading rusher with 50 yards on the ground to go along with 56 receiving yards. Dillon Spaeth had 27 rushing yards, while also attempting 10 passes. He completed five for 46 yards passing. Others who caught passes were Jose Acuna, Owen Wilczek, Caleb Martin, Jackson Laroche, and Garrett Biesiada.
Defensively Braedyn Wemple led the team with 14 total tackles and added a sack. Hester and Josewski added nine each, with Hester also tacking on half a sack. Dreeson Millam had eight tackles and Austin Frederickson had four tackles and half a sack.
Up Next
Next week the team will be on the road against Chisago Lakes. The Wildcats are 2-1 on the season, having suffered their first loss last Friday against Providence Academy. That game will take place on Friday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m.
