Staff photo by Ali Servey New Ulm’s Dirk Haynes wraps Willmar’s Conlan Carlson in a tackle and New Ulm’s Brody Hacker, 55, during a Round 2 AAAA football playoff game Tuesday at New Ulm High School. (years old) and Ian Bruderry (far right) approach.
NEW ULM — Willmar’s Conlan Carlson scored four touchdowns and the Cardinals defense held New Ulm scoreless in the first three quarters in a Round 2 AAAA playoff game Tuesday night at New Ulm High School. Wilmar ended New Ulm’s season with a 28-6 victory.
Carlson scored on a 2-yard run in the first half and added scoring runs of 12, 8 and 13 yards in the second half.
New Ulm’s only score came on a 2-yard run by Zach Hubbard early in the fourth quarter.
Willmar, currently 1-8, will face Marshall on Saturday.
The Eagles finish the season with 4 wins and 5 losses.
“Although it was a disappointing result, I was never disappointed in the efforts of the children.” Ulm’s new manager Derek Reaser said: “It was a 6-0 game at halftime. I felt like we had a good offensive plan heading into the second half. But we just didn’t execute or make enough plays.”
Wilmar took a 6-0 lead on the opening kickoff and the first drive of the game, gaining 79 yards in 14 plays and scoring its first touchdown on Carlson’s 2-yard run in just over seven minutes.
“That was one of those drives that we saw earlier this year where their offense was on the field for the majority of the quarter.” Reaser said. “We let them go 4-and-6 and 3-and-long, but we allowed big runs and long passes. They controlled the clock.”
This score held until halftime as both teams defended solidly.
The Cardinals’ scoring potential ended late in the second quarter when Jeff Krall stepped in front of Jordan Ellingson’s pass in the end zone.
That ended a 12-play, 74-yard drive for the Cardinals.
It was also a first half in which Willmar’s offense made 31 plays compared to New Ulm’s 17.
“The weather conditions certainly made it difficult to throw the ball effectively.” Reaser said. “Both teams knew it was difficult to move the ball in the air. There were times when we did good things, but we committed penalties ourselves and missed tasks up front.”
Willmar’s special teams set the stage for the Cardinals’ second touchdown of the night when Cameron Champagne blocked Tanner Bakker’s punt at the New Ulm 38-yard line.
Four plays later, Carlson raced in from 12 yards left for a 12-0 lead.
“That punt block really hurt.” Reaser said. “Special teams is a big part of the game. When a defense is put in a tough situation like that, a lot is asked of the defense.”
The Cardinals’ defense held the Eagles’ defense to a fourth-and-6 from New Ulm’s own 35-yard line, and as time expired in the third quarter, Carlson took eight plays to score his third score of the game on an 8-yard run. .
New Ulm reached Willmar’s end zone in the final quarter when the Eagles gained 61 yards in 10 plays and scored on Hubbard’s 2-yard run with 6:34 left.
Carlson ended the night with a 13-yard run on Wilmer’s next possession with 3:26 left.
“We knew they were coming in as a good team, so we hope they go to Marshall and give Marshall everything they have.” Reaser said.
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