“We are just making too many mistakes,” said Coach Tom Nelson, following the Agates recent 20-6 loss to Mora. “Mora didn’t do anything we didn’t expect. They run a power-T and they run the basic plays and they run them flawlessly. As I expected, they are a good team. They controlled the line of scrimmage and that made it tough for us to run the ball.”
The Agates record stands at 2-2 and things don’t get any easier for them this week as they prepare to face pre-season favorite Esko at home on Friday evening. Esko has wins over Denfeld, Proctor, Mora, and Pine City and has only given up a total of six points. Nelson commented, “They are athletic and strong and well coached. This is an opportunity to show ourselves the kind of team we are.”
“I wish I knew what is causing the problems. I challenge myself and ask if I am running too many plays or if I am asking too much of them. The reality is that we just aren’t doing some of the basic fundamentals as well as we can. I do know that every one of our guys has bought in and is working to do the best job they can.
I also know that we will get through this tough stretch and it will all come together. I know every coach asks their kids to take care of their own responsibilities and do their jobs as best they can.” Senior Trent Gomez is playing football for the first time in high school. The talented athlete who is playing safety said, “I am really enjoying it and glad I played. The biggest difference between playing basketball and football is that in basketball there are times you can do stuff on your own. In football, a person is dependent on ten other guys to do their job in order to succeed. Mora was a good team and they made very few mistakes.
I think that if we have the chance to play them again, we have a chance to beat them if we don’t make mistakes.” The Agates scored their only touchdown on a 47-yard run by Jacob Carpenter. Kyler Pitkanen ran for 24 yards on nine carries and Deacon Bark had 24 yards on 4 carries.
On defense, Zac Bentler had a strong game with 15 tackles. Zack Libal, Kyler Pitkanen, Adam Adamski and Cash Williams each added nine, and Trent Gomez and Tate Nelson each had eight tackles.
