Golden Eagles top Pioneers, 41-20
Mauston's Pat Guyse calls for the ball, and quarterback Tyler Tardiff finds him for a 62 yard touchdown early in the second half of the Golden Eagles 41-20 win over Westfield on Friday.
By David Paradise
Star-Times Sports Editor
The Mauston Golden Eagles looked to remain atop the South Central Conference (SCC) standings on Friday, and finish off Homecoming week with a win, when they faced the Westfield Area Pioneers (4-2).
After the teams traded punts for the majority of the first quarter, Mauston's Pat Guyse was able to intercept a Pioneer pass and return it 24 yards for a touchdown. That gave Mauston a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.
Guyse was able to find the endzone again, early in the second quarter, this time for the Golden Eagles offense on a 25 yard touchdown run.
"It was at the start of the second, and we were really able to talk about how we were going to block it, and the kids executed perfectly," Mauston coach Mike Taake said of the Guyse score.
Leading 14-0, Mauston marched down the field on their next possession and quarterback Tyler Tardiff was able to score, giving Mauston a 20-0 lead over the visiting Pioneers.
Mauston was able to add to their lead, on a 63 yard run by Brady Nelson.
"A counter play that was just beautiful," Taake said of the long score.
Mauston looked poised to run away with the game up 27-0 with just minutes remaining in the first half, but Westfield was able to add a couple of quick scores in the final minutes behind big runs by Kyle Szyperek, that narrowed the gap to 27-14.
"We had a little lapse at the end of the first half, our tackling wasn't great," Taake said.
Mauston wouldn't allow Westfield to get any closer.
The Golden Eagles started the second half on their own 34 yard line, and quickly increased their lead.
On the third play of the drive, Tardiff found Guyse with a pass down the Mauston sideline, and Guyse like he has all season, just wouldn't be stopped and raced 62 yards for the score.
Westfield was able to drive right back down the field, before Jeff Erickson picked off a Pioneer pass giving the ball back to the offense.
After a pair of first downs the Golden Eagles drive stalled and they punted back to the Pioneers.
On the Pioneers first play of their next possession, Josh Wrezinski intercepted the Pioneers' pass and was able to return it 25 yards for the touchdown, that put Mauston up 41-13 with just 1:32 left in the third quarter.
Westfield was able to drive on their next possession, and Szyperek scored his third touchdown of the night from 29 yards out, to narrow the lead to 41-20.
Mauston was forced into a three and out, before the Golden Eagles forced a Pioneer three and out.
The Golden Eagles took over and behind some strong runs by Zach Merath were able to run out the clock.
"The defense came through big. Those two touchdowns were the difference," Taake said.
Mauston was led by Guyse with 119 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, along with the 62 yard touchdown reception.
"It was a great Homecoming week. The kids were able to stayed focused, especially on game today and they came out ready to play," Taake said.
The Golden Eagles will travel to Wautoma on Friday to face the Hornets (5-1 overall, 2-0 SCC) in a SCC showdown for first place.