Bulldogs topple AP 42-0
Carter Stoddard edges past a defender en route to a 9-yard touchdown during the first quarter of MFL MarMac’s win over Aplington-Parkersburg. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
Bulldogs Brayden Gordon, Kade McElwaine and Quinn McGeough encircle a Falcon runner in last week's district victory.
Running back Wyatt Powell rushed for an impressive 139 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, despite a bulky cast on his right hand.
Offensive lineman Aiden Schoulte blocks an Aplington-Parkersburg defender.
Corner Bryce Radloff snags an interception in MFL MarMac's 42-0 win.
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The MFL MarMac football team remains undefeated after a 42-0 statement win at Aplington-Parkersburg on Sept. 15. The victory was the Bulldogs’ first in district play and fourth overall.
“The kids came out hungry for a win and wanted to put the state on notice that we went through a really tough schedule to get here. I think it showed,” said head coach Dan Anderson.
The result was the Falcons’ worst loss at the historic “Sacred Acre” since 2017. The field—and Aplington-Parkersburg’s football tradition—wasn’t something MFL MarMac took lightly. Anderson showed his players a video from the 2010 ESPY Awards, during which AP’s legendary coach Ed Thomas was recognized with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, the evening before last week’s game.
“They knew the history and had a lot of respect for this field, this town and the tradition that’s here,” Anderson said.
Bulldog fullback Quinn McGeough kicked off the scoring midway through the first quarter, and Carter Stoddard added a 9-yard touchdown near the end of the frame. Both extra points by kicker Ben Krambeer were good, giving MFL MarMac a 14-0 advantage.
The lead was 21-0 at halftime thanks to a 45-yard TD by Wyatt Powell, who wasn’t hampered by a bulky cast on his right hand. The running back missed the previous game due to injury and had limited practice reps last week.
“We didn’t start him at running back, but obviously he can still carry the ball. Even with a cast on, he showed that tonight,” Anderson said.
MFL MarMac continued to pull away early in the second half, as Powell slipped defenders for another 45-yard scoring run after the Bulldogs blocked an AP punt.
The fourth quarter included a touchdown reception to Brandon Christofferson, then an 80-yard haul by Tristen Koehn, which made it 42-0.
AP’s only scoring opportunity came late in the fourth, when the Falcons missed a field goal.
MFL MarMac’s defense held AP to 174 combined yards, most of which came through the air.
“They completed some short stuff, but we didn’t allow them anything deep,” Anderson said. “The second half, our kids came out hitting. Tackling was pretty good.”
It was a sharp contrast from the previous week, when the Bulldogs allowed an uncharacteristic 31 points to New Hampton. They were also missing Powell, a linebacker.
“We didn’t play great on defense last week, and our guys know that,” Anderson said. “Having Wyatt back in the lineup this week was big. Even with a cast on his hand, he’s a really special football player. He’s the heart and soul of the defense. When all 11 guys are out there, we’re tough to score on, and I think it showed tonight.”
Carver Blietz-Bentien topped the stat sheet with 8.5 total tackles, 4 of which were solo efforts and 1.5 for loss. Kade McElwaine recorded 5.5 tackles and Powell 4. Bryce Radloff also had 4 tackles along with an interception, and McGeough came in at 3.5 and Koehn 3. Brayden Gordon picked up 2.5 tackles, including the team’s lone sack.
The Bulldog offense, meanwhile, racked up nearly 400 total yards, including an impressive 139 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries for Powell. Koehn contributed 80 yards on a single touchdown run, and McGeough added 30 yards and a score on 10 touches.
Quarterback Blietz-Bentien completed six of 12 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 37 yards. Christofferson caught three passes—one a touchdown—for 43 yards and Radloff accumulated 34 yards on two catches.
The Bulldogs, currently ranked second in Class 1A, will host Sumner-Fredericksburg for homecoming on Friday, Sept. 22. The 3-1 Cougars dropped out of the top 10 this week after their first loss to also-ranked Dike-New Hartford.
Sumner-Fred last year held MFL MarMac to a season low 19 points.
“Our boys know that and are going to be working hard this week to put some points on the board,” Anderson said. “Sumner-Fred is a really aggressive defense, and they’re going to make you beat them on some one on ones. We set a few things up tonight looking forward to that game.”
The game will be key in the Bulldogs’ pursuit of a district title.
“In this district, there’s no guarantees week to week. Every game is going to be tough. This district is loaded with really good football teams,” Anderson said. “We have to be ready to go every week. If we’re ready to go, we can win all of them, but if we’re not ready to go, any of these teams could knock us off.”
