The Bulldogs lost to Marinette 28-14 at home Friday, Sept. 3.
The Marines began their first drive on their own three yard line, while the Bulldog defense held them to only a few yards.
Marinette then punted the ball and Bulldog senior Matt Hermsen returned it for 23 yards to the Marine’s 17 yard line. Four plays later senior running back Jordan Schuh ran four yards in for the touchdown. Sophomore Bill Pence Kicked the Extra Point to take the early lead 7-0.
Marinette rallied back with a 7 play 76 yard scoring drive, Marine sophomore running back Dakota Vanidestine started with a 23 yard run while the next play Marine quarterback Kyle Johnson connected with Scott Eldredge for a 25 yard touchdown reception.
The extra point was good and the game was tied at seven apiece. The Bulldog defense continued to hold the Marine offense. On Marinette’s third drive, Bulldog senior defensive tackle Zach Hofherr intercepted the ball.
At the start of the second half the Bulldogs received the ball but later ended up punting it away. The Marines started on their own 10 yard line and fumbled the ball on an option pitch and the Bulldogs recovered. New London could not reach the end zone to monopolize on the turn over. Bill Pence attempted a 20 yard field goal but it nicked the goal post and went outside.
On their next possession, Marinette faced a third down and 22. Vanidestine then broke loose for 28 yards and the first down. The March was on. One play later, Kyle Keller ran for a 39 yard gain and Landon Deringer broke off for 22 yards. Shortly after, Keller ran in for the touchdown from four yards out. Marines made the extra point and took the lead 14-7 in the third quarter.
The Bulldog offense was held in check the next series while Marinette Quarterback Landon Deringer, who split time with Johnson during the game, kept the ball on an option play to score a 30 yard touchdown run with 21 seconds left in the quarter extending their lead to 21-7.
Early in the fourth quarter the Bulldogs came out with a stellar 80 yard touchdown run by Jordan Schuh, however the touchdown was overturned and ruled a 54 yard run due to an Illegal block.
The play still set up the next score. Shortly after, Jake Mroczynski connected with Tyler Listle for a 10 yard touchdown pass. Pence Kicked the extra point to cut the Marinette’s lead to 21-14.
The Bulldog defense then produced another turnover as Sophomore Austin Postel recovered a huge fumble on the Marines’ 30 yard line.
The Bulldogs gained very little on their possession and Mroczynski was sacked on fourth down by Kyle Keller.
The Marines sealed the win with 1:27 to go in the game. Kyle Keller scored on a six yard touchdown run. The Marines kicked the extra point and took home a 28-14 victory.
“Our kids played hard against Marinette but we need to find some consistency,” said Bulldog Coach Pete Mroczysnki.
Bulldog running back CJ Anderson was limited to 98 yards on 30 carries against a very strong and physical Marinette defensive line.
Jordan Schuh also ran for 58 yards on three carries and scored one touchdown.
Jake Mroczynski completed 4 passes in 20 attempts with no interceptions and threw 44 yards. Tyler Listle caught two of those completions for 23 yards and one touchdown.
Nate Pluff caught two passes for 21 yards. The Bulldogs (1-1) will travel to Luxemburg-Casco (1-1) Friday.