Ashby football: Arrow gridders grab first win of season

The Ashby football team got its first win since 2007 last Friday night in a 32-24 game against Hancock.

The Arrows ran all over the Owls with 337 yards rushing, while gaining an additional 147 yards through the air. Ashby led 24-12 at the half behind touchdown runs of 28 and 35 yards by Jon Quernemoen and a 48-yard scamper by Blake Ohren.

The Owls battled back in the second half. They tied the game at 24 apiece early in the fourth quarter when Taylor Holleman found Jordan Miller for a 31-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing extra point was blocked, keeping the game tied.

The Arrows did not wait long to take the lead back. On their next possession, Blake Ohren found Gage Olson for a 72-yard touchdown pass. Ohren converted the two-point conversion with six minutes to go. The Ashby defense held strong in the closing minutes as the Arrows celebrated a much needed win.

“I was very impressed with my team on Friday,” head coach Tom Thormodson said. “They played hard for 48 minutes and were able to overcome the two fumbles and two interceptions. Our offensive line blocked extremely well all night, dealing with some large defensive tackles and frequently blitzing linebackers. The solid line play allowed all of our ball carriers to be quite successful.”

Quernemoen finished with 134 yards on 18 carries. Tanner Langlie added 13 carries and 94 yards, while Ohren had 81 yards on 12 attempts. Ohren also completed 4-of-8 passes for 113 yards. His favorite target was Dylan Young, who grabbed three catches for 69 yards.

“Dylan Young had a standout night with three big catches in crucial situations,” Thormodson said. “Defensively, Tanner Langlie and Hunter Fick were a formidable duo at the linebacker positions, racking up an incredible 32 tackles between them.”

GAME STATISTICS

ASHBY 8 16 0 8 – 32

HANCOCK 6 6 6 6 – 24

ASHBY LEADERS – OFFENSE – Rushing – Langlie – 13-94; Quernemoen – 18-134, 2 TD; Ohren – 9-81, TD; Olson – 7-28; Passing – Ohren – 4-8, 113 yards, 2 interceptions, TD; Quernemoen – 2-3, 34 yards; Receiving – Young – 3-69; Olson – 1-72, TD; JP Moe – 1-4; Ohren – 1-2

DEFENSE – Langlie – 19 tackles, interception, 1 blocked kick; Fick – 13 tackles; Gus Hokanson – 8 tackles, 1 sack; Reed Hanson – 5 tackles, 1 interception; Quernemoen – 9 tackles

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