BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
In a competitive game last Friday evening, the Merrill Varsity Bluejay Football Team took on the Ashland Oredockers at Jay Stadium. It was also Tackle Cancer Night for the “boys in blue” who donned special pink jerseys for the game, drawing attention to the need for cancer awareness and research.
Both teams played hard and remained scoreless in the first quarter, but in the second, Ashland scored a touchdown and their kicker got the extra point, bringing the score to Ashland 7-Merriill 0.
In the third quarter, the Bluejays fought hard for the come-back and made a touchdown, but failed on their attempt to make a two-point conversion, bringing the score to Ashland 7-Merrill 6. And there the score would stay, despite both teams’ attempts to bump the score up. Neither team was able to get the traction they needed to score again after that, and the fourth quarter remained scoreless.
In the end … “The Bluejays dropped a tough game by one point to the Ashland Oredockers,” Merrill Varsity Football Head Coach Jason Wadzinski said. “The Merrill defense created three takeaways, but this defensive battle ended in a tough way.”
3 Jacob Schmeltzer racked up 25 passing yards and #15 Isaak Clapper had 25 receiving yards in the game, while #20 Callum Wheeler got in 60 rushing yards.
Fan turnout was good and helped push the team on as they battled against the Oredockers.
“The community showed up in a big way Friday night and, as a staff, we are very appreciative of the support,” he said.
Box Score:
Ashland 7 @ Merrill 6
