Sports for the week of October 13, 2004

TMB rally saves the night

4th quarter touchdowns provide 24-16 victory

The Tracy/Milroy/Balaton Panther football team recorded a come-from-behind 212 Conference win over Renville County West Friday night at Tracy 24-16. The win improved the Panther's season record to 4-2 and they are now 2-1 in the 212 Conference. RCW dropped to 3-3 and they are 0-3 in the conference.

As the game began it became clear that the Jaguars looked to this game as their chance to get into the conference win column. They played highly motivated, inspired football. Their line fired off the ball and the backs ran hard.

The early tone of the game was set in the first possession of each team. TMB received the opening kick off but went three and out. Sean Kirk got off a good punt but it was called back and the Panthers were penalized back to their own 19-yard line for holding. As a result the Jaguar's first possession started on TMB's 44-yard line. From there the Jaguars moved to a touchdown in 6 running plays.

"We came from behind again because we expected to win," said Panther Coach Randy McIntire. "When it was 17-16 I told the kids they only needed to score once more and told them to look at the RCW players with their heads down."

The Panthers rushed for 171 yards in 31 carries and were 3 of 6 passing for 48 yards for a total offense of 219 yards. The Jaguars rushed 52 times for 256 yards but were 0 of 6 passing with 2 interceptions. Swan led TMB in rushing with 90 yards in 19 carries. Brett Jackson led in receiving with 1 reception for 18 yards.

TMB to face two top teams in 212

The Panthers play the top two teams in the 212 Conference within a week.

Tracy/Milroy/Balaton travels to Olivia to play the BOLD Warriors Thursday night. Tuesday, the Panthers travel to Grove City to face Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City.

BOLD now has a record of 6-0 and is the No. 1 ranked Class AA team in the state. ACGC is n 5-1, having lost only to BOLD, and is ranked fourth in Class AA..

"If we win one of them we will be assured of a home game in the playoffs," said Panther Coach Randy McIntire.

The Panthers enter this week's action with many injuries. Sean Kirk is questionable because of sore leg, Paul Johnson has a shoulder injury, Mike Schreier has an injured arm and Anthony Rasmussen has a leg injury.

Panther Assistant Coach Derek Flann played in the BOLD program under Coach Steve Solem.

"We ran the play that was called," he said. "We only audibled once in my senior year."

"We need to stop their quarterback Kuznia," said McIntire. "He is a strong runner on the option play. They also use the 'ride series' quite a bit."
"Against ACGC we need to stop the run," said McIntire. "They are a power team and will run you over."

Runners have 'best race so far'

At the Luverne Invite cross-country meet last Thursday, the Panther girls were 4th and the boys seventh. The girls' team scores were 1) Luverne, 47; 2) Sioux Falls Lincoln, 48; 3) Adrian, 73; 4) T/M/B, 101; 5) Worthington, 120; 6) MCC, 157; 7) W-WG/RRC, 157; 8) R-T-R, 212. Hills/Beaver Creek and the Flandreau Indian School had incomplete teams.

The Panther girls' individual results were: 2) Jillian Tholen, 15:07; 16) Stacy LaVoy, 17:26; 26) Jenna Schaar, 18:06; 28) Rebecca Gervais, 18:20; 29) Jessica Mason, 18:21; 40) Megan Pool, 18:47; 44) Jenny Vroman, 19:02; 50) Celia Brockway, 19:52; 53) Rachel Stobb, 20:21; 55) Bobbi Jo Buyck, 20:35; 56) Jessica Coulter, 20:43; 62) Julia Olson, 21:08; 68) Ashlei Carpenter, 22:19.

"The girls' team ran the best race I have seen them run this far," said Panther Coach Marie Clauson. "We've been working hard on speed workouts to help with our finishes. I think some of the runners were especially tired from these workouts so they will have some rest this weekend and hopefully be fresh for the meet on Tuesday. Megan Pool ran an outstanding race this week. Megan is a hard worker and it was fun to see it pay off for her. It was obvious that she really wanted to do well today. Jenna Schaar also ran a more focused race. The last 2000 meters she really sped up. I think she is starting to test herself more than she previously has."

The boys team scores were 1) Sioux Falls Lincoln, 22; 2) Luverne, 38; 3) Adrian, 96; 4) Flandreau Indian School, 103; 5) MCC, 135; 6) Worthington, 152; 7) T/M/B, 200.

The boys individual results were: 30) Ryan Tholen, 19:51; 40) Alex Jones, 22:22; 41) Ross Ryan, 22:53; 44) Sam VanNevel, 24:10; 45) Chad Cooreman, 24:18.

"On the boys side the team struggled a bit," said Clauson. "Ryan Tholen and Alex Jones led the way for the team yet again. Considering that these two boys are only eighth graders the future looks bright for the boys team."

In the junior high boys race Dalton Kirk was 27th at 7:07 and Josh Lubben was 31st at 7:55.

"In the junior high race Josh Lubben finished very strong," said Clauson. "I think he is getting the hang of this and his confidence during his races is growing. Dalton Kirk again ran strong."

TMB wins 212 volleyball title

The Panther volleyball team clinched the 212 Conference Championship Tuesday night with a 3-1 win over MACCRAY at Tracy. The game scores were 25-20, 25-18,20-25 and 25-19.

Tracy/Milroy/Balaton went into the match with a 6-0 conference record but both Renville County West, at 5-1 and MACCRAY, at 4-1 had a chance to get in the championship picture until the win secured the championship for the Panthers. It was particularly sweet because this is the last season that the 212 Conference will be in existence.

"They are a good team and we knew it would be tough," said Panther Coach Katie Gervais. "We played well in general and served aggressively except for that third game and we knew that we did not want to give them too much of an opening."

That all-important first game found the teams tied at 17. With Nicole Haecherl serving with the Panthers behind 18-20 T/M/B picked up the last seven points to close out the game. The points came on a wide block, an ace, and a block into the net, a net hit, another ace serve, and then two straight kills from Laura Lanoue.

Andrea VanMoer led in digs with 15; Krysta Tholen, Tessa Nelson and Tashia Lamb followed with 9 each. Nelson and Laura Lanoue led in kills with 11 each while Emily Miller had 7 and Nicole Haecherl 6. Krysta Tholen had 33 set assists and Lanoue led in serving with 21 of 22 and 3 aces, Haecherl was 17 of 18 with 3 aces, Tholen 17 of 18 with 2 aces and Nelson was 15 of 15 with 2 aces.

The Panthers will compete in the Alexandria Tournament this weekend and will travel to Springfield next Monday for the last match of the regular season.