“A positive is we started the season off with a win versus a very good opponent, they should be one of the top teams in section 6AA,” stated Barnesville Head Coach Bryan Strand.  “We do have things to work on and get better at, but kids played hard and showed they have a passion for the game tonight.”

The Trojans started the game with the ball and after starting with 5 running plays, they executed a play-action pass where Adam Tonsfeldt found Kaden Zenzen wide open for the opening score.  Adam Tonsfeldt took in the 2 point conversion and the Trojans were up 8-0.  Pillager had a nice drive to start the game going from the 37 to the Barnesville 31 yard line before the defense held and forced a turnover on downs.  At the end of the 1st quarter and the start of the second Barnesville put together a nice 10 play drive covering 73 yards ending with a 3-yard TD run by Braeden Bredman, giving Barnesville a 14-0 lead. 

Pillager returned the next kick all the way down to the 22 yard line.  “Too many broken assignments and missed tackles,” said Strand. Three plays later the Huskies got their only score of the night, cutting the Trojans lead to 14-6.  Barnesville put up one more score before the half when Tonsfeldt connected with Kaden Zenzen again, this time for a 9 yard TD catch on 2nd and goal from the 9.  The 2 point conversion run by Tonsfeldt was good, putting the halftime score at 22-6.

“We challenged the boys to play harder and stronger in the 2nd half, do what we do well and that is playing fast and physical,” noted Strand. “I think we played much better in the second half.”

Pillager started with the ball in 2nd half and they were forced a punt on their first possession.  Barnesville went from their own 41 yard line to the end zone in 5 plays, on a great run by junior Noah Krause.  The extra point kick by Nolan Rick was good and Barnesville increased their lead to 29-6. Pillager started their next possession at the 47 yard line and after 3 plays, Brady Kroll broke through the line and sacked the QB, stripping the ball away, Kaden Zenzen being in the right place at the right time scooped the ball up and ran 36 yards for the TD.  Kick by Rick was good, and the score at the end of the 3rd was 36-6.

In the fourth quarter both teams moved the ball, but the Trojans had their first major miscue on offense when they fumbled the ball on their only possession of the 4th.  “Pillager, with time running out made it all the way to the 1 yard line before some great tackling by our 2nds ended the game,” concluded Strand. “Defensively Jonny Robideau (7 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles), Joey Mark (4 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 1 sack) and Brady Kroll (6 solo tackles, 8 assisted tackles) all had fantastic games, offensively, Adam Tonsfeldt showed why he is one of the best in the area.  Overall pleased with win versus a very good opponent.  Came out of it fairly healthy, the week off will be nice to heal up and fix our problems on both sides of the ball.  Looking forward to our match up with Hawley, should be a fun night of football.”