Golden Eagles come up short against Mosinee
Mauston's Josh Wrezinski pulls down a Mosinee runner during the Golden Eagles 7-0 loss on Friday night.
By David Paradise
Star-Times Sports Editor
The Mauston Golden Eagles hosted Mosinee on Friday and had to wait out a 45 minute lightning delay to get their first game under new head coach Jim Dillin underway.
In a defensive struggle, the Mauston offense couldn't find its rhythm until late and was stopped short of the endzone twice in the game's final minutes as they fell 7-0.
"Our defense played great and we accomplished some of our goals. We just need to learn how to finish," Dillin said.
Mauston opened up their season on defense and forced a quick three and out.
On the Golden Eagles opening possession quarterback Brady Nelson connected with Jeff Erickson for a 77-yard touchdown only to see it called back on a penalty. Following a big run by Zach Merath the drive stalled and Mauston was forced to punt.
The Golden Eagles defense forced three punts and stopped Mosinee twice on fourth down over the next five possessions, but the offense couldn't capitalize and the teams went into halftime scoreless.
Mauston punted on their first two possessions of the second half as penalties and a couple miscues stalled the drives.
The defense stayed strong forcing another Mosinee punt and coming up with another stop on fourth down.
Mosinee's defense came up with an interception on the last play of the third quarter.
With the ball deep in Mauston territory, Mosinee was able to drive inside the Mauston five yard-line. The Golden Eagles held off Mosinee for three plays, but Mosinee got into the endzone on fourth and goal and took a 7-0 lead with 7:27 left in the game.
Mauston drove down the field as the offense started to click. Nelson hit Erickson and Dustin Manthe for a pair of completions and had first and goal with 2:20 left.
A fourth and goal pass fell incomplete and Mosinee took over. The Golden Eagles' defense wouldn't quit coming up with a fumble recovery to give the offense another shot. On third down, Nelson rolled toward the Mauston sideline and appeared to reach the ball over the goalline, but the play was ruled a fumble giving the ball and the game to Mosinee.
"I am happy with the kids. They stuck to the game plan and wouldn't give up," Dillin said. "We need to fix some little things and get better for Waupun."