Minster Dominates New Bremen 42-2 to Secure MAC Co-Championship

By Bruce Monnin

NEW BREMEN — Nostalgia was in the air, as the Minster Wildcats and the New Bremen Cardinals engaged in their most anticipated regular season battle in 31 years. Back in 1988, a 7-2 Minster squad traveled to New Bremen needing a win to gain a share of the MAC title and a berth in the Division V playoffs. The Cardinals came into the contest with a 9-0 record, assured of a share of the MAC title and of their first ever playoff appearance. Both quarterbacks from the game 31 years ago, New Bremen’s Chad Williams and Minster’s Bryan Niemeyer, were even in attendance.

On that night, a day-long rain and a driving wind made for horrid field conditions, and the Wildcats survived it best, edging New Bremen 7-6. The comparisons with past history ended there, however, as Minster dominated from start to finish for a 42-2 victory. The win earns Minster both a share of the MAC title, their first since 1989, and a home playoff game.

“We were locked in at the start, which was cool,” summarized Minster coach Geron Stokes. “Our seniors had us ready. It was an emotional week for those guys, and it was really nice to see them end the regular season like that.”

New Bremen received the opening kickoff, but on their second play a pass was intercepted by the Wildcat’s Gabe Philipps. A three-yard return would setup Minster at the Cardinal 29-yard line.

Minster had to convert one fourth down situation but scored on their seventh play when Jacob Niemeyer toted the ball seven yards for the score. The Wildcats would score touchdowns on all six possessions played by their starters.

Minster’s second score came on a 27-yard pass from Niemeyer to Trent Roetgerman. As he would all night, Niemeyer was given all the time he needed for the throw by his offensive line of Leland Frick, Dustin Frericks, Alex Frimel, Kyle Riethman and Dylan Sharp.

“The offensive line is doing a great job,” stated Stokes. “They understand what we are asking them to do so well. They are in such control of our offense.”

New Bremen tried to answer but was stymied by a Brendan Bornhorst interception. On the first play of the second quarter, Alex Schmitmeyer ran the ball into the end zone from three yards out to increase the lead to 21-0.

The Wildcats scored again in the half on a 15-yard pass from Niemeyer to Roetgerman. Minster ended the half with a third interception, this one by Adam Ketner in the endzone to preserve the 28-0 halftime advantage.

“We needed that,” added Stokes about his defensive backs. “We have to keep growing, keep getting better.”

Minster would score to open the second half on a Schmitmeyer nine-yard run to initiate the running clock. Another Schmitmeyer nine-yard run in the fourth quarter would give the Wildcats a 42-0 lead. New Bremen would trap Minster in their own end zone near the end of the game for a safety, thus the final 42-2 score.

Minster covered 216 yards through the air, with Niemeyer finding Roetgerman for 95 of those yards and two touchdowns. Schmitmeyer led all rushers with 110 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Zach Bertke led the Cardinals with 82 yards on 8 carries.

Next week the 9-1 Wildcats remain at home to host their playoff opener against 9-1 MAC co-champion Anna. The 7-3 Cardinals end the season in eighth place in Region 28, and travel to play top seeded 9-0 Hamilton New Miami.

Score by quarter 1 2 3 4 Total

Minster 14 14 7 7 42

New Bremen 0 0 0 2 2

First Quarter:

MIN – Jacob Niemeyer 7 yd run (Bryan Falk kick), 8:27

MIN – Trent Roetgerman 27 yd pass from Jacob Niemeyer (Bryan Falk kick), 1:59

Second Quarter:

MIN – Alex Schmitmeyer 3 yd run (Bryan Falk kick), 11:55

MIN – Trent Roetgerman 15 yd pass from Jacob Niemeyer (Bryan Falk kick), 2:53

Third Quarter:

MIN – Alex Schmitmeyer 9 yd run (Bryan Falk kick), 8:33

Fourth Quarter:

MIN – Alex Schmitmeyer 9 yd run (Bryan Falk kick), 8:33

NB – Safety, 3:09

Team statistics MIN NB

First downs 20 11

Rushes - yards 33-138 29-147

Passing yards 216 28

Comp - att - int 12-19-0 4-14-3

Total yards 354 175

Punts - average 0-0.0 2-32.5

Fumbles - lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties - yards 10-89 7-50

Time of possession 21:14 26:46

Individual statistics

Rushing: Minster, Schmitmeyer 22-110, Niemeyer 8-39, Miller 1-0, Nixon 1-(minus 3), Team 1-(minus 8); New Bremen, Bertke 7-82, Dicke 7-35, Hays 13-22, Muether 1-8, Bornhorst 1-0

Passing: Minster, Niemeyer 12-19-0-216; New Bremen, Hays 3-9-3-25, Bornhorst 1-5-0-3

Receiving: Minster, Roetgerman 4-95, Bornhorst 3-23, Schmitmeyer 2-32, Falk 2-30, Ketner 1-36; New Bremen, Tenkman 2-18, Bertke 1-7, Bergman 1-3