MFL MarMac hangs goose egg on Aplington-Parkersburg
Eli Hanson was one of two Bulldog runners to break the 100-yard mark in the win over the Falcons, totaling 112 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten
“That’s a beautiful sight right there, that big goose egg,” MFL MarMac head coach Dan Anderson told his football team as they gathered after a 43-0 homecoming victory over Aplington-Parkersburg on Sept. 20.
The win in the Class 1A - District 3 opener improved the Bulldogs to 3-1 overall.
“That’s what it’s all about: family and friends getting to see the homecoming game on a nice night, and the kids came through and played excellent football all around,” Anderson said. “All over—offense, defense, special teams. We were better everywhere on the field.”
MFL MarMac built a 27-0 lead just before halftime, powered by rushing touchdowns from Eli Hanson, Parker Kuehl and Quinn McGeough, as well as a reception from quarterback Carter Stoddard to tight end Hunter Christofferson.
A 43-yard field goal by kicker Ben Krambeer—a yard shy of his career long—increased the Bulldogs’ advantage to 30-0 heading into the break.
The team only increased the lead in the second half, as Kuehl scored his second touchdown late in the third quarter and McGeough raced 90 yards down the field mid-way through the fourth. Krambeer, who was four of five on point after attempts, sealed the 43-0 win after McGeough’s lengthy run.
The Bulldogs accumulated 368 yards on the ground behind a pair of strong performances. McGeough earned 216 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, while Hanson ran the ball 11 times for 112 yards and a touchdown. Kuehl totaled 19 yards and two scores on four carries, and Brock Hackett touched the ball four times for 21 yards.
“Eli Hanson played a great game, all around. Man, he ran hard and was punishing those guys. All our backs did,” Anderson said. When the coach complimented Hanson for “running like a hammer,” it piqued McGeough’s interest. “Cause, you know, Quinn’s competitive. Quinn ran over about three guys. Then Brock ran over about three guys. They didn’t want to be out-done by the other guys.”
Stoddard completed three of his seven pass attempts for 40 yards and one touchdown. Christofferson had two receptions for 22 yards, along with a score, and Hackett snagged an 18-yard catch.
Anderson said the offense is starting to click since the week two loss to Waukon.
“Stoddard throws a good ball. Our backs are running extremely hard. Tonight, and last week, they’re really putting the shoulder pads down. We didn’t do that the first couple of weeks,” he remarked.
The defense was equally impressive. Although the Falcons gained 130 rushing yards, they weren’t able to convert them into touchdowns.
“They moved the ball a little bit, and they’re a physical team, bigger and stronger than they were last year up front. Our guys gave a little ground, but down here by the end zone, the defense stiffened up,” Anderson said. “I’m super proud of the effort.”
Hanson led all defenders with 6 total tackles, and McGeough and Keith Anderson each followed with 4. Stoddard and Averey Thornton finished the game with 3.5 apiece.
The Bulldogs recovered two fumbles—one by Krambeer and another by Carsten Pester.
Anderson labeled the win a team effort.
“We got everybody out there. Everybody got in on that win,” he said.
After the “wake-up call” loss to Waukon, he believes MFL MarMac is starting to find its own now. The players are ready to prove they can be just as successful as previous teams.
“The kids know how to win and they expect to win. They wanted to prove to our crowd that we’re a really good football team, and I think they proved to everybody that we are. We’re a good football team all around and we’re going to be a hard team to beat,” Anderson said.
The Bulldogs will test that this week in a Friday, Sept. 27 road match-up at Sumner-Fredericksburg. The Cougars, who are 2-2 after a 46-6 loss to Dike-New Hartford, were the only team to beat MFL MarMac in district play a season ago.
