Minster Defense, Passing Game Lead Way to 33-7 Win over New Bremen

By Bruce Monnin

MINSTER - Three weeks ago, the Minster Wildcat unleashed a 301 yard rushing attack in defeating the New Bremen Cardinals 40-14. This time Minster turned to their passing game as quarterback James Niemeyer completed 18 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-7 victory.

What did not change was a dominating Wildcat defense, as New Bremen was held to 16 yards in the first half and 108 yards for the game.

“The kids came out and did what we expected them to do,” stated Wildcat coach Seth Whiting. “Their execution level on defense was fantastic today. Our defensive staff are doing a really good job of preparing our kids right now, and our kids are doing anything we ask of them.”

New Bremen received the opening kickoff and gained 17 yards before punting. Minster replied with an 83-yard drive, but the Cardinal defense shut the Wildcats down on a fourth down at the New Bremen seven.

The first quarter would end in a scoreless tie, but momentum swiftly swung in the favor of Minster in the second period. Three plays in, James Niemeyer found Caleb Couse for a 9-yard score. Then on the Cardinal’s first play of the ensuing series, Will Frimel forced a fumble which was recovered by Will Knapke. Niemeyer connected with Noah Schwieterman on a 16-yard pass then found Dylan Heitkamp for a 17-yard score to increase the lead to 14-0.

Later in the quarter, Knapke intercepted a New Bremen pass at the 20-yard line. Justin Bergman was handed the ball five times, scoring on a one yard fourth down plunge with just over two minutes until intermission. The Wildcat defense again shut down New Bremen and regained the ball one last time in the half. Niemeyer took advantage by completing five of seven passes for 56 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown strike to Kole Richard to make the lead 27-0 at the break.

Minster received the second half kickoff and marched 68 yards to set the running clock in motion. After a 32-yard completion to Cole Albers and a 23-yarder to Richard, Connor Schmiesing capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run.

The Cardinals would put together a 13-play, 73-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Roger Muether scored on a five-yard run to make the final score 33-7.

Justin Bergman was the leading rusher on the night with 59 yards on nine carries. Richard and Schwieterman had five receptions apiece, for 74 and 53 yards, respectively.

Next week the 10-2 Wildcats have a rematch against the undefeated Marion Local Flyers to be played at a neutral site. The Cardinals finish their season with a 5-7 mark.

“We’ve grown quite a bit (since the first Marion Local game),” added Whiting. “I told the kids that nothing exciting is worth it if you don’t have some trials and tribulations along the way. Obviously, Marion is a heck of a hurdle, and we’re excited for a chance to prepare and go compete.”

Score by quarter 1 2 3 4 Total

Minster 0 27 6 0 33

New Bremen 0 0 0 7 7

Second Quarter:

MIN – Caleb Couse 9 yd pass from James Niemeyer (Caleb Couse kick), 10:27

MIN – Dylan Heitkamp 17 yd pass from James Niemeyer (Caleb Couse kick), 9:30

MIN – Justin Bergman 1 yd run (Caleb Couse kick), 2:07

MIN – Kole Richard 22 yd pass from James Niemeyer (kick failed), 0:30

Third Quarter:

MIN – Connor Schmiesing 3 yd run (kick failed), 9:15

Fourth Quarter:

NB – Rogan Muether 5 yd run (Hayden Zeller kick), 4:19

Team statistics MIN NB

First downs 21 7

Rushes - yards 32-132 25-83

Passing yards 270 25

Comp - att - int 20-31-0 5-8-2

Total yards 402 108

Punts - average 1-28.0 4-40.0

Fumbles - lost 0-0 2-1

Penalties - yards 4-20 4-30

Time of possession 28:23 19:37

Individual statistics

Rushing: Minster, J. Bergman 9-59, Co. Schmiesing 12-38, Meyer 3-15, Keller 3-12, Niemeyer 2-3, Fancher 1-3, Bishop 2-2; New Bremen, Muether 14-56, Schaefer 8-12, Thieman 2-9, Kelly 1-6

Passing: Minster, Niemeyer 18-28-0-265, Fancher 2-3-0-5; New Bremen, Muether 3-5-1-17, Thieman 2-2-0-8, Whitlach 0-1-1-0

Receiving: Minster, Richard 5-74, Schwieterman 5-53, Ch. Schmiesing 2-61, Co, Schmiesing 2-18, Heitkamp 2-18, Alber 1-32, Couse 1-9, T. Bergman 1-5, Morrow 1-0; New Bremen, Dicke 3-21, Muether 2-19, Zeller 1-4, Keller 1-4