Braves close out regular-season with 45-0 loss to Minnewaska Area
The Benson football team ended the regular-season with an 0-8 record after losing by a shutout at Minnewaska Area in the regular-season finale last Wednesday night, 45-0.
The Braves will travel back to Minnewaska Area this week for the start of the Section 5AA Tourney as Benson earned the seventh seed and Minnewaska Area was second, meaning the Braves open up sections at 7 p.m., Tuesday (yesterday) at Minnewaska Area High School.
This is the second-straight season Benson has closed out the regular-season and opened up the section tourney in back-to-back weeks against Minnewaska Area.
“Minnewaska proved they deserved the second seed in our section, and the Lakers also finished second behind BOLD in our sub-district,” Benson coach Scott Gonnerman said.
“We expect Minnewaska to continue to run their same offense. Their quarterback does an excellent job of riding the fullback, then pulling and keeping the football. We have be very disciplined and keep with our responsibilities.”
BOLD won this year’s Mid-State title with a perfect 7-0 record after dismantling Morris Area-CA in the regular-season finale, 35-7, while Minnewaska Area was second (6-1), Osakis third (5-2), Morris Area fourth (4-3), ACGC fifth (3-4), Montevideo sixth (2-5), Sauk Centre seventh (1-6), and Benson eighth (0-8).
The Braves, who were playing without several of their starters, were never in the game against the Lakers. Minnewaska Area scored four touchdowns in the first quarter to go up 27-0 and increased that to 34-0 by halftime and 37-0 by the end of the three quarters, instituting the “mercy rule” for the fourth quarter....
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Pictured, top: Cole Hedman (81) tries to evade a would-be Minnewaska Area tackler after hauling in a pass. Identified from left to right in back of Hedman are Adam Zosel (32), Alden Syltie (77), and Alex Wrobleski (65).
Pictured, bottom: Hunter Gonnerman (44) rambles around left end during the Braves’ loss to Minnewaska Area last Wednesday night. The two teams were set to be back at it Tuesday (yeserday) for the first round of the Section 5AA playoffs.
