NLS rolls into semis

Follow your blockers — Jake Essler, right, of New London-Spicer cuts right to follow the block of teammate Joe Johnson during their Section 6AAA quarterfinal football game against Sauk Centre Tuesday in New London. Tribune photo by T.J. Bartelt

By Tribune Sports

October 27, 2009 at 11:00 PM

NEW LONDON -- New London-Spicer took advantage of a short field most of the night to beat Sauk Centre 42-6 in a Section 6AAA quarterfinal football game Tuesday.

The Wildcats (9-0) had good field position throughout the game, as evidenced by a total of 314 yards on offense.

The special teams also helped. Jake Essler, who opened the game with a 24-yard touchdown run, brought back a punt 43 yards for NLS' last TD.

Jayme Moten passed for just 78 yards, but completed TD strikes to Erik Tengwall and Brandon Zylstra. He also kept the ball on a one-yard score.

Essler paved the way on the ground with 126 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns.

NL-Spicer 42, Sauk Centre 6

Sauk Centre 0 0 0 6 -- 6

NL-Spicer 14 14 14 0 -- 42

NLS - Jake Essler 24 run (Kevin Soine kick)

NLS - Erik Tengwall 14 pass from Jayme Moten (Soine kick)

NLS - Moten 1 run (Soine kick)

NLS - Brandon Zylstra 13 pass from Moten (Soine kick)

NLS - Essler 45 run (Soine kick)

NLS - Essler 43 punt return (Soine kick)

SC - Bryce Hentges 62 pass from Shane Trattles (kick failed)

Sauk Centre

Team statistics

First downs: 6 ... Rushing: 32-90 ... Passing (com-att-yds-int.): 4-19-88-0 ... Fumbles lost: none ... Penalties: 3-15

Individual statistics

Rushing: Aaron Olson 21-58, Shane Trattles 9-28 ... Passing: Trattles 4-19-88-0 ... Receiving: Bryce Hentges 3-81, Isaac Winters 1-7 ... Punting: John Gusewelle 7-21 ... Interceptions: none ... Fumble recoveries: Gusewelle 1, Zach Schmidt 1

New London-Spicer

Team statistics

First downs: 14 ... Rushing: 32-236 ... Passing (com-att-yds-int.): 6-7-78-0 ... Fumbles lost: 2 ... Penalties: 4-20

Individual statistics

Rushing: Jake Essler 13-126, Sam Schmid 3-35, John Nething 2-6, Derek Henle 3-51, Jayme Moten 7-3, Luke Peterson 2-13 ... Passing: Moten 6-7-78-0 ... Receiving: Zylstra 1-13, Tengwall 2-21, Aaron Jenny 2-36, Essler 1-8 ... Punting: Kevin Soine 2-39 ... Interceptions: none ... Fumble recoveries: none ... Tackles (solo-assist): Austin Wentzlaff 5-3, Tom Duscher 4-1, Nething 6-4, Justin Zylstra 5-0, Shawn Hatlestad 4-2 ... QB sacks: none

Gaining ground — Luke Peterson, left, of New London-Spicer breaks away for a short gain as teammate Joey Sisser looks on Tuesday in New London. Tribune photo by T.J. Bartelt