Minster Wins Wild Game Over Parkway, 14-13

By Bruce Monnin

MINSTER — It was a game filled with turnovers and penalties, and though the offensive execution by neither team was a thing of beauty, Friday night’s game between the Parkway Panthers and the Minster Wildcats was definitely a close and exciting game. In the end, Minster overcame an early missed extra point with a later two-point conversion, while a fourth quarter missed extra point left Parkway one point short in the 14-13 Wildcat win.

“14-13, whatever the score is, as long as it is a win, that’s great,” emphasized victorious Minster coach Eric Belcher after the game.

Minster took the opening kickoff and looked to seize control of the game early. It took the Wildcats just seven plays to march the 64 yards to paydirt. Andrew Meyer ripped off a 26-yard run in the middle of the drive, and the score came on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Dan Mueller to younger brother Brian Mueller. The extra point kick was missed, however, and the Minster lead was just 6-0.

The Minster defense held Parkway to negative yardage on their three plays and received the Panther punt near midfield. The Wildcats drove deep in Parkway territory, but penalties and a stiffening Panther defense sent them backwards enough to force a punt. Parkway was again stopped on three plays, but this time Jordan Thompson unleashed a 68-yard put which changed the field position situation.

After forcing Minster to punt after just three plays, Parkway broke out their passing game. They completed four attempts for 43 yards before again being forced to punt from near midfield.

On Minster’s next punt, Josh Fisher broke free for a 36-yard return to the Minster 26-yard line. Thompson hit Greg Robertson on a 25-yard pass, then took the ball in himself on a one-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, and Parkway claimed the 7-6 lead.

“We didn’t really change anything,” commented Parkway coach Ed Kuhn, “we just ran our stuff the way we’re supposed to, and it worked.”

The Panthers tried to build on their momentum with an onside kick, but Minster recovered at the 41-yard line. This seemed to kick start the Wildcat offense, which marched 57 yards on the next 11 plays. A 23-yard pass from Mueller to Aaron Heitbrink was one big play, though perhaps the most crucial plays of the game came at the culmination of the drive. On fourth down and goal from the two-yard line, Heitbrink ran for the touchdown to give the Wildcats the 12-7 lead. Coach Belcher called for the two point try, and Dan Mueller converted on a keeper play, giving Minster the 14-7 halftime lead.

Minster’s defense had a great first half, limiting Parkway to negative two yards rushing. “Watching the St. Henry game, Thompson ran on them a bit, so we needed to shut him down and make him throw the ball,” noted Belcher.

The third quarter was a display of offensive futility for both teams. On Parkway’s three possessions they punted after three plays, lost a fumble on a sack by Ryan Mertz, and were intercepted by Meyer. Minster did no better, losing 15 yards on their first drive before snapping the ball over the punter’s head and punting after three plays on their second drive. They moved the ball a little on their third drive until Jacob Fox ended that threat with an interception early in the fourth quarter.

The offensive stats for the third quarter showed Parkway with 11 yards of offense and 10 yards of losses due to penalties. But that was better than the negative 15 yards Minster posted to go along with its one penalty for five more negative yards.

The Panther offense came alive to start the fourth quarter, driving 73 yards in 12 plays. On fourth down and goal from the three-yard line, Thompson kept the ball himself and punched it in to cut the Wildcat lead to 14-13. But the extra point attempt sailed wide left, and the opportunity to tie the game was lost.

Minster attempted to put away the game by driving deep into Parkway territory after converting a third down with a 37-yard pass between the Mueller brothers. But Jacob Fox snagged his second interception of the night at the one-yard line to keep the Panthers alive. Six plays later, however, Aaron Heitbrink intercepted a Parkway pass to seal the win.

“Our defense stepped up and played great in the second half,” complimented Minster coach Eric Belcher. “We were down inside the 20-yard line twice and threw interceptions. But I’m happy with what our defense did. Ryan Mertz had a heck of a play causing a fumble, Andrew Meyer had a nice interception, and other times the defense stepped up and forced a punt.”

Minster, now 4-5, ends the season seeking to even their record at 5-5 as they host the 5-4 Anna Rockets. Parkway falls to 2-7 and finishes up by hosting 4-5 Versailles next Friday.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Minster 6 8 0 0 — 14

Parkway 0 7 0 6 — 13