TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Bluejay Varsity Football Team kicked off their season last Friday night, Aug. 23, 2024, with a non-conference game in Osceola.
“The Bluejays came out firing to take an early lead against Osceola Friday night, but by halftime they had dropped to a 14-8 deficit,” said Jason Wadzinski, Merrill Varsity Football Head Coach.
During the first quarter, Merrill’s Aidan Houghton made a touchdown on a 33-yard pass from Aiden Lonsdorf, and made good on the two-point conversion. But in the second quarter Merrill remained scoreless and Osceola put two balls in the endzone, scoring two touchdowns for their team, failing on the first two-point conversion but succeeding on the second.
In the third quarter, Aiden Lonsdorf tied things up with another touchdown and a failed two-point conversion. Score: 14-14. Then the Bluejays were off and running. They landed another touchdown, complete with two-point conversion, followed by another – no two-point conversion on that one – but now the score was 28-14 in favor of the Bluejays. And Merrill didn’t let up, scoring another touchdown in the fourth quarter on an Aiden Lonsdorf six-yard run. The two-point conversion failed, but by then the game was a wrap, and the Bluejays were ecstatic.
“After halftime adjustments and a steady offensive run game led by Aiden Lonsdorf, Callum Wheeler, and Jax Hanson, the Bluejays came roaring back to take a 34-14 win,” Coach Wadzinski said. “Merrill starts the season 1-0 with a big win over a tough non-conference opponent.”
The home opener for the Bluejays will be Thursday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. against Crandon at Jay Stadium. Come on out and get ready for some hometown football!
Box score
Merrill 34 @ Osceola 14