TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Bluejay Varsity Football Team took on Crandon High School in a home game at Jay Stadium last Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. Following a shutout game during their season opener against Northland Pines the previous week, the Jays were disappointed to lose to Crandon by 20 points with a final score of Crandon 32 – Merrill 12 at the end of the night.
“Crandon was a very disciplined and well coached team,” said Jason Wadzinski, Merrill Head Varsity Football Coach. “They came out and were more physical than us, and we lost the battle up front on both sides of the ball.”
“Couple that with three turnovers and it’s difficult to come out on top of a match-up like that,” he said. “Dropping a home opener is never something you want as a team.”
“We will get back to work and let this serve as a wake-up call after our lopsided week one victory,” Wadzinski added.
In game play for Merrill, #10 Brian Ball led the night with 109 passing yards, completing 7 of 12 attempts, racked up 25 rushing yards, and scored one of the Bluejays’ two touchdowns for the night.
#25 Nathan Brzoznowski totaled 42 rushing yards and 67 receiving yards for the game, scoring the Bluejays’ other touchdown of the game.
Crandon made the first touchdown of the night in the first quarter, picking up two more points with a conversion and did it again in the second quarter. Merrill pulled in a touchdown during the second but failed to make their two-point conversion. Score at halftime? Crandon 16 – Merrill 6.
In the third quarter, Crandon pulled out another touchdown with a two-point conversion and Merrill failed to get anymore points on the board. Merrill picked up a touchdown in the fourth quarter but failed to make the conversion and it just wasn’t enough. Crandon made another touchdown and completed a two-point conversion to wrap up the game.
Box Score:
Merrill 12 @ Crandon 32