WASECA -- In a high school football game that got out of hand early, the Waseca Bluejays broke for a 28-0 first quarter lead that became 48-0 at halftime en route to a 62-0 victory Wednesday night over the visiting Worthington Trojans.
In the final regular season game for both teams, the Bluejays (6-2) assured themselves of heading into the playoff season on a high while the Trojans fall to 3-5.
“Nothing up front offensively or defensively. Just dominated us on the offensive and defensive lines,” said Worthington head coach Gene Lais on the Bluejays’ performance.
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The game’s first four plays from scrimmage resulted in two fumbles lost. Worthington runner Emmett Bickett fumbled on the very first play after the opening kickoff, and Waseca was in business at the Trojans’ 34-yard line. But three plays later, Worthington’s Austin Svalland stripped a Bluejay ball carrier of the ball and the visitors recovered at the 18.
The Trojans could not get a first down, however, and a Svalland punt was blocked, giving Waseca its second possession at the Trojans’ 25. A few plays later, junior Denver Daniel scored on a 12-yard run, and the ensuing extra point was made.
The Trojans’ difficulties in maintaining control continued moments later as Waseca intercepted a pass and set up around midfield. Just a couple of plays after that, Daniel scored again on a 30-yard carry.
Next was a 27-yard Hunter Rodriguez TD run, then a 3-yard TD run by Daniel.
And later, on the first play of the second quarter, Malik Willingham hauled in 17-yard touchdown pass. After a fifth-straight PAT, the score ballooned to 35-0.
Not finished yet in their first-half onslaught, the Jays made it 41-0 on a 23-yard scamper by Rodriguez (the PAT missed) and 48-0 on Daniel’s fourth touchdown, from 16 yards away.
Worthington committed four turnovers in the first half and gained just 39 total yards unofficially. Waseca had 336 total yards.
In the third quarter, a 4-yard Blake Wendland run and PAT upped the margin to 55-0. With only 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, sophomore running back Tave Ball scored.
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Worthington’s offense accounted for just 53 total yards in the contest. Waseca rushed for 447 yards unofficially.
The Trojans’ loss virtually assures them of a road game to start the Section 3AAA playoffs on Tuesday, with seedings and matchups to be determined today (Thursday).
“It’ll sting for a little more tonight,” Lais said minutes after the Waseca loss, “but tomorrow morning we’re going to find out who our opponent is, and go back at it again. The regular season’s over now, and when we get up tomorrow morning we’re 0-0. We gotta go on to the second season.”
Worthington 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Waseca 28 20 7 7 -- 62
