Patriots tame the Broncs

The third-ranked Upton-Sundance Patriots continued in their winning ways as they travelled to Burns this past week to face the Broncs. It was the Patriots who were on the board first as Brayden Bruce found the endzone on a 75-yard reception from quarterback Brad Krueger.

With a successful extra point kick, the Patriots were up 7-0 midway through the first quarter. Shortly thereafter, the Patriots were in the end zone again as Bruce ran it in from 12 yards out to add another six to the board. The Patriots then went for two as Krueger found Lane Gill for a successful two-point conversion, increasing the Patriots score 15-0 after one quarter of play.

The Patriots took their momentum into the second quarter as they pushed their way down the field and into the endzone for another touchdown. With the score 21-0 in favor of the Patriots, the Burns special teams decided to break the Patriot momentum with Joel Morales returning the kickoff, 80 yards, and into the endzone to put the Broncs on the board.

Looking to close the gap a little, the Broncs decided to go for two with quarterback Caden David finding Tate Bishop to close the gap, 8-21. The Patriots, however, were not going to let the Broncs get back into this game. Finding the endzone two more times before the half, the Patriots went into the break with a commanding 35-8 lead. 

The second half started much as the first left off, with the Patriot offense putting points on the board. Brad Krueger was able to find Brayden Bruce on a 38-yard reception just two minutes into the third quarter to add another six points to the Patriot lead.

The Burns offense then took to the field, but their drive was short lived as Krueger intercepted a pass and ran it back to the end zone for another Patriot touchdown, upping the score 47-8. The Broncs, however, did not let that interception slow their offense as Jackson Kirkbride found his way into the end zone on a 46-yard pass from David to bring the quarter to a close and the score 47-14 in favor of the Patriots.

As the teams took the field for the final quarter, it would be the Patriots in the end zone for the final score of the game with Levi Rudloff running it in from 30 yards out, upping the final score, 54-14 in favor of the Patriots. 

The Upton-Sundance Patriots will be back in Upton this Friday as they host the Glenrock Herders. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Offense

Rushing: 42 attempts for 294 yards and 3 TDs

Levi Rudloff: 10 for 127, 1 TD

Jess Claycomb: 18 for 74, 1 TD

Brad Krueger: 4 for 47

Brayden Bruce: 4 for 32, 1 TD

Keaton Mills: 5 for 31

Passing: 9 completions on 12 attempts for 218 yards and 4 TDs

Brad Krueger: 8 for 11, 191 yards, 4 TDs

Keaton Mills: 1 for 1, 27 yards

Receiving

Brayden Bruce: 5 receptions for 168 yards, 2 TDs

Jess Claycomb: 2 for 29, 1 TD

Levi Rudloff: 2 for 21, 1 TD

Defensive Summary (Top 5)

Nathan Baker: 19 points: 6 Assisted Tackles, 2 Unassisted Tackles, 1.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.5 Sacks

Jess Claycomb: 14 points: 1 AT, 4 UT, 1 TFL, 1 Pass Break Up

Ethan Mills: 13 points: 3 UT, 1 PBU, 1 INT

Reece Barritt: 11 points: 1 AT, 2 UT, 3 PBU

Brad Krueger: 10 points: 1 AT, 2 UT, 1 INT

Levi Rudloff: 10 points: 2 AT, 1 UT, .5 TFL, 1.5 Sacks