CASSVILLE - After facing the spread offenses of Pec./Argyle and Benton/Scales Mound in the first two weeks of the season, the Cassville varsity football team squared off against the power running game of the Shullsburg Miners last Friday night.
The Comets had a hard time containing the Miners Friday night, who ran for 300 yards and four touchdowns on their way to collecting a 28-7 Six Rivers conference victory.
The loss dropped coach Doug Fure’s squad to 0-3, while the Miners improved to 1-1 in league play and 2-1 overall.
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Miners put together back-to-back scoring drives in the second quarter, getting two rushing TDs from quarterback Brett Matye.
Cassville came out in the third quarter and put together their only scoring drive of the night, which was capped off by an eight-yard TD run by junior running back Codi Schwab. Eric Albadge added the extra-point kick to make the score 14-7.
Before the third quarter came to an end, Shullsburg got a 10-yard scoring run from Brett Knautz, who also caught the two-point conversion pass.
The Miners then added a 14-yard TD run by Nate Houtakker in the fourth quarter, essentially putting the game out of reach for the Comets.
Houtakker led the Miner rushing attack and finished the night with 197 yards and one TD on 29 carries.
The Comets concluded the night with 54 yards rushing on 22 attempts, leaving them with an average of 2.4 yards per attempt.
Cassville top back was Codi Schwab, who rushed for 53 yards and one TD on 12 carries.
Through the air, sophomore quarterback Hunter Nix completed 5-of-10 passing attempts for 21 yards. His top target was Dallas Esser, who hauled in two receptions for 23 yards.
Leading the Cassville defense with 13 tackles, one for a loss, was senior lineman Adam Kirschbaum, while freshman Caleb Dahse and sophomore Luke Kirschbaum each had 10 tackles. Hunter Nix had one interception.
This Friday night the Comets travel to Belmont (1-2, 1-2), who is coming off a 40-26 loss to Black Hawk (1-2, 1-2).
Shullsburg 28, Cassville 7
(from Friday, Sept. 7)
Shullsburg 0 14 7 7 - 28
Cassville 0 0 7 0 - 7
Second quarter
S - Brett Matye, 2-yard run (pass failed)
S - Matye, 8-yard run (Nathan Hautakker run)
Third quarter
C - Codi Schwab, 8-yard run (Eric Albadge kick)
S - Brett Knautz, 10-yard run (Kanautz pass from Matye)
Fourth quarter
S - Houtakker, 14-yard run (kick failed)
Team statistics
First downs - S 16, C 5. Rushing - S 58-300, C 22-54. Passing yards - S 15, C 21. Passes - S 2-5-1, C 5-10-0. Fumbles-lost - S 2-1, C 1-0. Penalties-yards - S 3-10, C 6-45.
Individual leaders
Rushing - S: Nate Houtakker 29-197; C: Codi Schwab 12-53. Passing - S: Brett Matye 2-4-1, 15; C: Hunter Nix 5-10-0, 21. Receiving - S: Hervey Treijo 2-15; C: Dallas Esser 2-23.
