Goodhue Impressive in Football Season Opener

The Goodhue Wildcat football team dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football Saturday to start their season with a 27-7 win over the Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights.

The first half was even on the scoreboard until Goodhue senior quarterback Jacob Pasch hit senior receiver Sam McNamara with his second touchdown of the first half with 10.7 seconds to go on a 21-yard touchdown. The ball appeared to be tipped but McNamara made the catch and then dove into the end zone. His earlier catch came less than two minutes into the game on a 24-yard toss.

Kenyon-Wanamingo's only score came after senior Jacob Whipple snatched a Pasch pass out of the air and returned it to the 46 of Goodhue. On the very next play quarterback Luke Rechtzigel went to his right then completely across the field and down the sideline for a 46-yard touchdown with 5:20 to go in the half.

It was very windy, but Pasch threw for another touchdown in the third quarter. His line gave him plenty of time as sophomore receiver Ryan Schoenfelder crossed all the way along the back of the end zone to catch a 6-yard touchdown.

Sam McNamara closed out the scoring with an end run for 13 yards. Goodhue sophomore kicker Mariano Bigalk connected on three of four extra points and missed a 21-yard field goal try.

The Wildcats outgained the Knights 360-117 in total yardage, with 305 of them on the ground. Senior running back Garrett Huemann led the way with 143 yards on 23 carries. The bulk of the remaining Goodhue yards came from sophomore Mason Huemann. Wildcat senior Casey Deneen led the defense with 11 tackles.

The Maring Auction Co. of Kenyon Knights of the game were Jacob Whipple and Luke Rechtzigel, and senior Ryan Pelkey was chosen as the Kenyon Holden Warsaw Insurance Agency offensive lineman of the game.

The (1-0) Goodhue Wildcats travel to (0-1) Wabasha-Kellogg on Friday night while (0-1) Kenyon-Wanamingo is at (0-1) St. Clair. St. Clair fell 28-7 to Southland while Wabasha-Kellogg was blitzed by Faribault Bethlehem Academy 36-6.