FOND DU LAC – Gaining 254 yards, including 119 yards of rushing offense, was not enough to gain a victory for the Clintonville Truckers Friday night as they lost to host St. Mary’s Springs of Fond du Lac, 30-6. With some big runs in the first half, Joe Hauser, behind the offensive line of Brandon Sivertson, Kyle Osgood, Karl Shepard, Kyle Petermann, Josh Krueger, Brandon Lohrentz, Mike Hogan, Connar Bodoh, and Nathan Monty, rolled up 141 yards of rushing for the night. This was Clintonville’s first 100 yard rush game. Hauser went off right tackle, cut it back left, and received a nice down-field block from Colin Moon to score in the second quarter on a 30-yard run. The extra-point kick failed and the Truckers became the first team to score on the Ledgers this season. Going into half-time, the Truckers trailed 10-6.

However, misfortunes abounded in the second half as Springs began to take over. Missed blocking assignments and a crucial turnover gave Springs a lead that the Truckers could not over come. In the second half the Ledgers scored on a 34 yard run, a 37 yard fumble recovery, and a 12 yard pass.

Clintonville could not get anything going the second half as several key players got dinged up. Penalties also caused the Truckers frustration as some big plays in the second half were called back for holding. The Truckers committed six penalties for 45 yards.

“We need to clean this up,” commented Coach Bob Petermann. “We need to be more disciplined so as not to shoot ourselves in the foot when good things start to happen.”

All in all, the Truckers took a step forward in getting the offense rolling. “We are starting to get to a point where we are understanding the expectations of Clintonville Trucker Football. We’re almost to the corner. We need to see the light around the corner and then take the next step,” said Petermann.

The defense played well, limiting Springs to only 283 yards. “Our defense got to the quarterback tonight. We had some guys in the backfield which disrupted their plays. We need to continue this kind of defensive effort,” said Petermann.

Clintonville’s next game is Friday night at home against Berlin. It will be parent’s night. Game time is 7 p.m. at the high school football field.