Minneapolis JV Ends Season 5-3

Every year is a new adventure for the JV football team at MHS.  This year we had 14 Freshmen, 2 new Sophomores and 9 Sophomores and Juniors that had been out for MHS the year before.  With a group that was so young, what they lacked in experience they made up for in heart.

The year started with a “Welcome to High School Football” by Ellsworth.  The Lions were beaten soundly 6-50 by the Bearcats.  The following week MHS traveled to Hesston.  After digging a hole, the Lions started putting the pieces together and made a great comeback only to fall short 17-20.  Starting out 0-2 is not what the Lions had in mind, but with every game they gained experience and steadily improved.

The third time was the charm for the Lions.  A bus trip to SES was just what the doctor prescribed.  Swarming defense coupled with a few nifty pass plays brought the Lions their first win of the season 20-6.  With the momentum they had built, the Lions welcomed the Broncos from Russell to town.  MHS took it to them from the start and won 36-0.  “It was great to see the growth of the players from game to game.  It seemed like different kids would step up at different times and everyone rallied around each other,” stated Coach Darrow.  

Next up for the Lions was Beloit.  Minneapolis jumped out to an early lead and started to coast.  That is when the Trojans came alive.  The Lions gave up 36 unanswered points and lost 12-36.  “It was good for the boys to get brought down to earth and re-focus.  It takes a tremendous amount of work and we needed a reminder,” commented Coach Smith.

The Lions traveled to Belleville to try to get back on track and did just that.  MHS took a lead going into the second half before Republic County scored and were threatening to hand the Lions another loss.  Minneapolis regrouped in the fourth quarter, held the Buffs defensively and scored one more time to put the game out of reach 26-12.

Back home for the final home game of the season Minneapolis hosted Sacred Heart.  The Knights held the Lions scoreless through most of the game leading 0-6 late in the fourth.  Behind a determined offense line, MHS drove the ball down the field and took the lead and added the extra point for a 7-6 victory.  “The boys could have folded, but never did,” Coach Darrow said.

The final game of the season was played at Solomon.  It was a see-saw game with Minneapolis scoring, then Solomon, then MHS, then SHS. It seemed the team with the ball last would most likely win.  After several great defensive plays, the Lions drove the ball and scored, pushing the score to 27-20.  The Gorillas made one last effort to score but were denied and the Lions won.  “With all of the shuffling of players in and out of the game, sickness, and being the scout team for the Varsity, we are very proud of these kids.  They worked extremely hard and have made great strides.  These are great groups of kids and we were glad to coach them,” commented Coach Darrow and Coach Smith.

Members of the JV this year were:  Luke Eckert, Sean Ussrey, Matt Comfort,  Connor Christenson, Austin Goddard, Connor Collins, Quenton Schur, Camden Coday, Garrett Lott, Zach Davis, Josh Mesecher, Kyle Wolf, Brice DeWitt, Shane Haney, Connor Yager, Justin Klein, Jacob Snider, Sean Forte, Connor Nace, Drew Belvill, Andrew Yoxall, Colin Briggs, Tommy Austin,  Ty Girard, and Colby Berry.