Patriots open playoffs with win over Lovell, move on to face Lyman

On a clear but windy night, the #2 seed US Patriots took on the #3 seed from the west, the Lovell Bulldogs, in the opening round of playoffs. As play began, both teams knew having the wind at their back might prove to be the most important part of the game and it was the Patriots who kicked off with wind to start.

Taking to the field, the stiff Patriot defense made the opening drive for the Lovell Bulldogs difficult. Looking at a fourth down, the Bulldogs faked the punt in hopes of a first down, but a penalty brought them back and they had to punt it away for real.

The Patriot offense then took to the field and were able to get a good mix of big and short gains to bring themselves down the field. With just one yard left, Brad Kruger was able to sneak into the end zone. In true Patriot fashion, they were on the board first with the score 7-0 and 5:29 remaining in the quarter.

The Lovell Bulldog offense spent little time on the field in the first half as they struggled to string first downs together, managing only one before they had to punt it away to the Patriots again.

As the first quarter wound down, the Patriot offense was knocking at the door once again. With 19.5 remaining, the Patriots called a timeout hoping for a play into the end zone before having to face the wind.

Unfortunately, the quarter ended before that could happen and the Patriots were now facing the wind. In the opening minutes of the second quarter the Patriots appeared to be stopped by the Bulldog defense but a face mask penalty by the Bulldogs gave the Patriots new life and another shot at a third down.

Close to the endzone and facing a fourth down, quarterback Brad Kruger found Braydon Bruce on a swing pass to the right. Bruce sliced between two Bulldogs into the endzone for another Patriot touchdown. Early into the second quarter the Patriots found themselves up 14-0 as the Bulldogs continued to falter. 

Another possession by the Bulldogs found them looking to punt the ball yet again; however, the kicker fumbled the snap and the Patriot offense was back on the field at the 29-yard line of the Bulldogs. A big gain by Bruce set the Patriots up for another score as Kruger found Bruce for another touchdown.

A fumbled snap on the extra point worked out in the Patriots’ favor as they performed the fire drill to perfection and Bruce found Lane Gill in the end zone for two more points, upping the score 22-0.

The Patriots’ near perfect half was not done yet. Their defense held the Bulldogs one more time and the Patriot offense was into the endzone with Jess Claycomb on a one-yard run for the final score of the half. At the break, the Patriots led the Bulldogs 29-0.

After the break, the Bulldogs came out with a renewed sense of vigor and figured out how to stop the explosive Patriot offense on the first drive. They then took the momentum from their defense and put it into the offense.

A facemask penalty by the Patriots helped move the Bulldogs down the field and into the end zone. Hoping to close the gap, the Bulldogs went for two and began to inch closer to the Patriots with a score of 8- 29.

The Patriots, however, would not be outdone. Making their way down the field once again, Kruger was able to find Bruce for a touchdown, but offsetting penalties brought the play back for a replay of third down. With 1:58 remaining in the quarter Kruger found his way into the endzone for another Patriot score, putting them ahead 25-8 with one quarter of play remaining.

As the fourth quarter of play opened up the Bulldog offense began to push their way down the field, gaining big yardage and looking to score. Up against a fourth down, C.J. Lindsey found the hole and ran it in from eight yards out to put up another six points for the Bulldogs.

Needing points in a hurry, a successful two-point conversion brought the score to 16 for the Bulldogs, 35 for the Patriots. With a little momentum on their side, the Bulldogs attempted an onside kick, but Nathan Baker made the recovery for the Patriots and returned it to the 39-yard line.

A few more gains for the Patriots and quarterback Brad Kruger was into the endzone once again for the final score of the game. The Bulldog offense would make one final push down the field but would come up short yet again, and the Patriots walked away with the 41-16 victory. 

The Patriots now advance to the next round where they will be on the road to face the number one team from the west, the Lyman Eagles, at 1 p.m. on Friday. 

Offensive Summary

Individual Rushing

Jess Claycomb – 27 carries for 103 yards, 1 TD

Brad Kruger – 11 carries, 61 yards, 3 TDs

Levi Rudloff – 9 carries, 32 yards

Brayden Bruce – 1 carry, 12 yards

Individual Passing

Brad Kruger – 7/14 for 130 yards, 2 TDs

Receiving

Lane Gill – 2 receptions for 53 yards

Reece Barritt – 1 reception for 40 yards

Brayden Bruce – 2 receptions for 17 yards, 2 TDs

Jess Claycomb – 1 reception for 14 yards

Levi Rudloff – 1 reception for 6 yards

Defensive Summary

Individual Leaders (Top 5)

Nathan Baker – 16 points = 2 Assisted Tackles, 4 Unassisted Tackles, 2 Tackles for Loss

Jess Claycomb – 14 points = 4 AT, 5 UT

Brayden Bruce – 14 points = 2 AT, 2 UT, 2 TFL, 1 Pass Break Up

Brad Krueger – 11 points = 2 AT, 1 UT, 1 TFL, 2 PBU

Ethan Mills – 9 points = 1 AT, 3 UT, 1 PBU