SAINT PAUL – One week after opening their season with a 26-14 win over the Central Wisconsin Spartans, the Eau Claire Crush suffered a setback with a 47-8 loss to the Saint Paul Pioneers Saturday at Seafoam Stadium.
The Crush offense was only able to produce 102 rushing yards and 76 passing yards. Quarterback Brock Pottenger threw three interceptions and their first two offensive possessions ended in botched punts that the Pioneers recovered inside the Crush’s 20.
“We really need to work on our inside run presence,” Crush offensive line coach Brian Hawn said. “We need more footwork as far as our foffense goes.”
The Crush (1-1) did not score until late in the fourth quarter. “We put guys in positions that they were more familiar with,” Hawn said. “We lost three (lineman) in our first two drives, so it took a bit to adjust.”
The defense gave up four passing touchdowns to Pioneers quarterback Cleveland McCoy and three rushing touchdowns. Pioneers wide receiver Riza Mahmoud caught two touchdown passes of over 65 yards.
“We are going to work on pursuit and tackling technique,” Assistant Head Coach and Assistant Defensive Coordinator Rick Yoder said. “Our linebackers need to square up a little bit and we need to stay home on the defensive side of things.”
Crush running back Tommy Green ran the ball 12 times for 59 yards and wide receiver Corey Randall had the lone touchdown of the day when he recovered a fumble in the end zone. One the defensive side of the ball, defensive back Xavier Thompson had four tackles and defensive lineman Jake Wszelaki had two sacks.
Jack-of-all-trades Josh Gawrysiak had 19 rushing yards, 62 receiving yards, and a sack. “I try to be a leader,” Gawrysiak said. “We have a lot of guys hurt, so I try to fill in.”
Gawrysiak has extra motivation this year. “My cousin Luke died,” he said,” so I meet him out here on the field because we played together for so many years.”
The Crush have a bye next week before taking on the Menominee Thunderhawks on June 6 at 6 p.m. at Williams Stadium in Menominee.
-JZ
The Crush offense was only able to produce 102 rushing yards and 76 passing yards. Quarterback Brock Pottenger threw three interceptions and their first two offensive possessions ended in botched punts that the Pioneers recovered inside the Crush’s 20.
“We really need to work on our inside run presence,” Crush offensive line coach Brian Hawn said. “We need more footwork as far as our foffense goes.”
The Crush (1-1) did not score until late in the fourth quarter. “We put guys in positions that they were more familiar with,” Hawn said. “We lost three (lineman) in our first two drives, so it took a bit to adjust.”
The defense gave up four passing touchdowns to Pioneers quarterback Cleveland McCoy and three rushing touchdowns. Pioneers wide receiver Riza Mahmoud caught two touchdown passes of over 65 yards.
“We are going to work on pursuit and tackling technique,” Assistant Head Coach and Assistant Defensive Coordinator Rick Yoder said. “Our linebackers need to square up a little bit and we need to stay home on the defensive side of things.”
Crush running back Tommy Green ran the ball 12 times for 59 yards and wide receiver Corey Randall had the lone touchdown of the day when he recovered a fumble in the end zone. One the defensive side of the ball, defensive back Xavier Thompson had four tackles and defensive lineman Jake Wszelaki had two sacks.
Jack-of-all-trades Josh Gawrysiak had 19 rushing yards, 62 receiving yards, and a sack. “I try to be a leader,” Gawrysiak said. “We have a lot of guys hurt, so I try to fill in.”
Gawrysiak has extra motivation this year. “My cousin Luke died,” he said,” so I meet him out here on the field because we played together for so many years.”
The Crush have a bye next week before taking on the Menominee Thunderhawks on June 6 at 6 p.m. at Williams Stadium in Menominee.
-JZ