Posted: 9/10/04
Farmington turns over Orono
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by Andy Rogers
Thisweek Newspapers
It may have been early in the season, but a young Farmington football squad was ready for it as they notched a 30-14 convincing win over Orono on Sept. 3.
Both teams had their share of early-season mistakes from illegal substitutions, missed blocking assignments, false starts and missed tackles.
But it was Farmington forcing five Orono turnovers that made it the Tigersí game.
In the first quarter, defensive back Tyler Jones stifled an Orono drive at the 3-yard line by intercepting a long pass, Chad Donnelly stalled key drives with an interception and a fumble recovery, Carson Jones returned an interception for 41 yards and Tim Masso ended all hope Orono had with an interception in the fourth quarter.
ìOrono ended up forcing it a little bit,î coach Mark Froehling said. ìWhen you got an idea theyíre going to pass itís easy to defend it. But we got some good guys back there to pick off a couple passes.î
Farmington had some success with a balanced running game with speedy Kevin Kratz and grinder Mark Masso. The team rand 46 times for 219 yards for a 4.76 average. Masso rushed for 88 yards and Kratz 69.
ìIíve got a nice group of running backs with some differences,î Froehling said. ìThey have to respect Massoís power and that gives that (Taylor) Felmenn, (Carson) Jones and Kratz the ability to get outside.î
In his first varsity start, quarterback Andy Bauer was poised passing 5-for-8 for 85 yards including three touchdowns ñ two passing and one running ñ along with an interception.
ìWith good protection itís good for a first-time quarterback to know he can stand in there,î Froehling said. ìFor a first-time guy, he knew where players needed to line up and he held in there well and made some nice throws.î
Last year at this time, the team edged Orono 20-19 and eventually made it to the state semifinals and this year the team has few returning starters
ìOur offensive line did a good job,î Froehling said. ìWe only have one starter coming back (on the line). We had our share of mistakes, but we had good pass protection and we ran the ball well.
ìWe have a lot of new starters it was important to get a good start to give them some confidence and let them know they can play the game.î
It was all fullback Masso early taking part in 10 of the first 13 plays leading to a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to put Farmington up 6-0.
Orono answered back with a 5-yard touchdown run by Tripp Standa. With a successful extra point, Orono went up 7-6.
Bauer and the speedy halfback Kratz opened things up only to be stalled at the 8-yard line with a fumble on the exchange.
ìWe were a little jittery to start with, but we overcame some adversity. We fumbled on the goal line but the defense came out and held tough and got a short field again.î
Kratz retook the lead with a 4-yard touchdown run and Bauer added to it with an 8-yard quarterback sneak to go up 18-7.
On the next key series for Orono hoping to cut Farmingtonís lead, defensive lineman Donnelly and the defense came up big.
Donnelly snagged an interception and on the next play, Bauer and Kratz hooked up with a 34-yard touchdown pass putting Orono in a bigger hole.
Ryan St. John put the game away with a 12-yard touchdown catch from Bauer.
Oronoís Standa scored a late touchdown to make it 30-14.
The team opens Missota Conference action against rusher Nathan Swift and Hutchinson Sept. 10 and they will travel to Northfield Sept. 17.
Andy Rogers is at
sportswriter.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
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