Tiger defense unable to weather storm

HOWARDS GROVE – It was a stormy Friday night but after more then four hours of weatherinterrupted football, one thing was perfectly clear, the Howards Grove defense needs some work after suffering a 41-27 loss to Poynette.

Poynette, led by quarterback Cody Odegaard, put up big numbers, including three touchdown passes and one scoring run by Odegaard. Poynette racked up 423 yards of offense and kept the Tigers’ defense scratching its head all night.

“We have a lot of growing up to do on defense. We are not playing as 11,” said Howards Grove head coach Dave Schmid.

The nonconference game was the season debut for both squads.

One bright spot for the Tigers was the play of their offense. Led by senior quarterback Eric Dickmyer, the Tigers racked up 400 yards of total offense and looked strong.

“All around offensively, we were clicking on all cylinders. I’m happy about our running and our passing game. Eric was a big part of both of those,” said Schmid.

Dickmyer got started early – scoring on a 14-yard option play with 16 seconds left in the first quarter. After Collin Horness was successful on a two-point conversion run, Howards led 8-7.

The Indians responded with 20 unanswered points to build a 27-8 advantage.

Dickmyer also threw two TD passes from 56 and 24 yards to senior wide receiver Mike Verfuerth. Verfuerth had a game-high seven catches and 195 yards receiving.

“Mike is a good target for Eric. He makes good moves and gets great yards after the catch,” said Schmid. It was a long night for both teams due to a lightning delay that lasted more than an hour. The delay came with three minutes to go in the first half.

FOOTBALL
POYNETTE 41
HOWARDS	27
GROVE

Poy HG
First downs ..14 14
Rushing Yards………………..244 190
Passing Yards 179 210
Comp-Att-Int………………..8-11-0 9-14-0
Penalties-Yards 4-16 2-10
Punts-Averages -- --
Fumbles-Lost………………….…3-1 0-0
Score by Quarters
Poynette……………..…..7 13 14 7 – 41
Howards Grove…………8 0 7 12 – 27
Scoring
Poy - Adam Ray 21 pass from Cody Odegaard (Odegaard kick)
HG - Eric Dickmyer 14 run (Collin Horness run)
Poy - Darin Wood 5 run (kick blocked)
Poy - Taylor Blumenstein 12 pass from Odegaard (Odegaard kick)
Poy - Odegaard 29 run (Odegaard kick)

HG - Horness 6 run (Eric Bruesewitz kick)
Poy - Justin Mislevicek 3 run (Odegaard kick)
HG - Mike Verfuerth 56 pass from Dickmyer (run failed)
Poy - Shawn Lenius 30 pass from Odegaard (Odegaard kick)
HG - Verfuerth 24 pass from Dickmyer (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing – Howards Grove, Eric Dickmyer 12-87, Collin Horness 23-85.
Passing – Howards Grove, Dickmyer 9-14-0-210.
Receiving – Howards Grove, Mike Ver_fu_e_r_th_ _7-_1_9_5_. _________________