The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

Vern Hollister
Correspondent

Cody Trudell rushed for 245 yards, Dave Ferris established a school record 43-yard field goal, and Florence amassed 456 yards on the ground as the Bobcats celebrated homecoming with a 44-6 pounding of the error-prone Cardinals.

For the first three minutes, Crandon's offense clicked before they unraveled with five giveaways, three lost fumbles and two interceptions, that allowed the Bobcats to unleash the trio of Trudell, Jake Church and Nate Steber to flatten the wearying Cardinals.

After receiving the kickoff, Crandon quarterback Jake Jezeski picked up 14 yards, and shortly after on a third and 10 hit Nate Sprenger for 40 yards, followed by a pass to Justin Tokarczyk of 13 yards that carried to the Florence three-yard line. After Crandon lost three yards on a running play, Jezeski scored on a keeper for a 6-0 Cardinals lead. At the 9:04 mark of the opening quarter, Crandon had what would be their first and last TD. From then on, the Florence defense stiffened, the runners took over, the mistakes occurred, and Florence rumbled.

"We weren't doing our jobs on defense," Florence coach Joe Ferris said of the Cards opening drive. "We made some adjustments after we fell behind. They knew what they had to do and came out and executed."

Even on third and 10 on Florence's opening drive, they ran. On their own 34, Steber cut back to the left to the 45 for a first down. Trudell on a second and seven at the 49 rumbled to the 29 and on his next carry to the five-yard line. Church scored on a run of three yards to culminate a 66-yard drive.

Ferris kicked the extra point for a 7-6 Florence lead. He also booted a school record 43-yard field goal late in the third quarter, and twice added extra points despite penalties that increased the distance. Ferris missed one extra point attempt from a Crandon block.

On Crandon's second possession, Steber made two key tackles to stop the Cardinals. He caught Jezeski after the quarterback slashed for 24 yards that carried to the Bobcats nine. On a fourth and goal, Steber stopped a Crandon run at the 10-yard line.

The opening quarter ended with a 7-6 Florence lead and the Bobcats with the ball and a third and one on the 16-yard line. The 90-yard drive was highlighted by the only pass Florence threw, from Jake Jones to Church for 27 yards. A Trudell blast for 15 yards and a Steber carry for 11, preceded Church's 14-yard touchdown romp. Church started right, cut upfield and left to the middle for a 14-6 Florence lead.

Then Crandon's turnovers began. Ben Drexler, 6' 6" tackle, reached up to snag a Jezeski pass on the 16. Trudell barged along for a touchdown on the next play to put Florence up 21-6.

"He's a really good ballplayer," Ferris said of Trudell. "He runs hard, and he really answered the call. He's a good, tough kid."

See Crandon/2B

continued from 1B

Crandon fumbled the next series. Florence recovered on the 40. Trudell picked up 33 yards to the seven-yard line. Steber almost scored, but a penalty erased that one. Backed up and with a first and 23, the Cards did stop Florence despite Trudell banging along for 17 yards on one run. Jezeski saved a touchdown with a tackle on a fourth and five.

Crandon lost the ball again. Josh LeFleur picked off a Jezeski throw, and with eight seconds remaining in the first half, Church scored for a 27-6 Florence advantage.

Out of the chute after homecoming festivities at halftime, Church and Steber did most of the rushing until Steber carried in from 15 yards out. Florence recovered another Crandon fumble and Church scored once more. Crandon fumbled the kickoff, and Ferris nailed the field goal.

The Cardinals last gasp for a touchdown, after three passes set them up on the Florence three-yard line with a first and goal, disappeared when a high snap from center flew over Jezeski's head. On a fourth and 17, Crandon lost the ball on downs. Such was their night.

Steber, LaFleur and Dillon Dollar recovered Crandon fumbles. LaFleur and Drexler picked off passes.

"They've been flying to the ball, and executed," Ferris said. "Crandon isn't that bad. They have some good ballplayers, but when things aren't going your way – I've been there," he said.

Crandon totaled 132 yards rushing, 128 passing for 260 yards. Jones for Florence, completed his only pass of the game before being hurt. Thad Harrison took over to direct the running offense. Trudell rushed 16 times for 245 yards, Church 12/68, Steber 7/65, and James Ouradnik 3/47.

"It was a great night tonight," Ferris told the Bobcats. "Let's keep it rolling," and he sent the team off to enjoy the homecoming dance.

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