Scotties Close Out Reg. Season

The Glasgow Scottie football team traveled to Fairfield to take on the Eagles for their final regular season game of the 2020 season on Oct. 23. In a tight back-and-forth game played in the falling snow, the Eagles came out on top 14-8. The Scotties ended the season with a 7-2 overall record, 4-2 in the Northern B conference. The Scotties will travel to Eureka this Saturday for the first round of playoffs.

Despite the final score, the Scotties were proud of their effort in tough conditions. Quarterback Loden Idler told the Courier, “As a team, I think we are coming together the best we have all season. Even though last week’s game wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for we have high spirits.” Running back Jesse Lee echoed his teammate, “I feel like we played one of the best games we have ever played last Friday. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as we were hoping.”

There was already a layer of snow on the field when the Scotties hit the gridiron in the 10 degree temperatures, with below-zero windchill, for the battle for first place in the conference. Glasgow received first and went quickly to their go-to running back, Lee. Despite a quarterback keeper by Idler for a first down, the Scotties were unable to advance much farther and Fairfield soon took over possession. The Eagles were not able to move the ball down the field for a score either, and the ball was soon back in Glasgow hands, in a sign of how the game was going to play out.

A penalty set the Scotties back 15 yards on their attempt and a later sack on Idler gave the ball back to Fairfield. This time, the Eagles made good on their plays when Giles connected with Mills for a 43-yard touchdown to put the home team on the scoreboard first. A short toss added the extra two for the Eagles, giving them an 8-0 lead with 1:34 left in the first quarter.

Tel Aune caught the kick to start Glasgow’s third possession of the game and to end the first quarter. Glasgow continued to rely on their running game, but again failed to nail a first down and the ball went back to Fairfield. The Eagles also failed to convert on downs after incurring their first penalty of the game and ended up punting to the Scotties.

The Scotties’ fifth possession of the game saw the team march down the field. An Idler quarterback keeper gained the Scotties 15 yards for a first down. A Lee rush gained nearly 25 yards after the offensive line opened up the field for him. Repeat attempts of those plays though were stymied by the Eagles and they shut down the Scotties’ drive. In return, the Scotties shut down the Eagles’ moves toward their end zone.

With 1:59 left in the half, Glasgow took over the ball. Lee’s rush gained the first down. A quarterback keeper moved the Scotties closer to their goal, but a bad throw by Idler went out of bounds. On 4th and 3 on the 8-yard line, Idler faked to Lee and gave the ball to Dylan Nieskens for the touchdown with no time on the clock. A toss to Aune added the extra two points for the visitors to tie the game at 8-8 going into the half.

The first half saw Fairfield dominating on the passing game while Glasgow owned the running portion. The second half, played in the nonstop snow storm, would produce a defensive battle as the teams traded off possessions without finding the end zone until late in the fourth.

Fairfield started the second half in possession, but the Eagles were unable to score. Back in control, Idler would get the ball to Colten Fast and Lee, but could not score. Nieskens nearly picked off the ball on the Eagles’ next possession, but the third quarter would end without a score and neither team making much gain offensively.

Fast gave the Scotties and fans a big dose of energy early in the fourth quarter when he snagged a Fairfield pass for an interception with 10:35 remaining on the clock. But again, penalties cost the Scotties and the ball went back to Fairfield. The back-and-forth game would continue until Eagle Perez carried the ball 29 yards for Fairfield’s second touchdown of the game with 2:50 left to play. The two-point attempt was foiled and the score stood at 14-8.

Idler went to Lee, who rushed for a 13-yard gain. Another Lee carry took Glasgow to 2nd and 6 with 1:53 remaining. Idler’s dump pass to the sideline was flagged for intentional grounding setting the Scotties up on a 3rd and long. Two passing attempts to Dawson Boland were incomplete and the ball went back to Fairfield. An Eagle fumble saw the Scotties recover on the Fairfield 40-yard line with just over a minute for the Scotties to score.

Idler ran for a first down leaving 38 seconds on the clock. With 31 seconds and a 2nd and 10, Fast would catch the ball. With only 12 seconds on the clock and adrenaline pumping, Idler threw the ball deep into the end zone, where the Eagles’ Giles would end Glasgow’s hopes with an interception.

The Scotties had 218 total offensive yards. Lee led the team in rushing with 144 yards. Idler rushed for 74 yards and was three for 13 on passes for 22 yards yards. Nieskens had two receptions in the game for 15 yards and his touchdown. Fairfield completed one of six passes for 43 passing yards and rushed 44 yards which included one of their touchdowns. Fairfield had 87 total offensive yards.

For the second year in a row, the Eagles defeated the Scotties in a heartbreaker to close out the regular season. Coach Patrick Barnett told KLTZ’s Saturday Morning Sports Show his offense really moved the ball around the field, despite what the final score showed. He stressed repeatedly the kids worked hard and he was impressed by their play. “They’re a great group of kids,” the third-year head coach said. “I’m so proud of them.” The team faced a tough competition against the top-ranked Eagles, and the weather certainly was a concern. Barnett said that with the wind chill there were some cold-related concerns and injuries, which will most likely also be a concern this upcoming weekend in the game against the Lincoln County Lions.

Penalties and small mistakes cost the Scotties in the game at some key moments but the team will continue to work on those mental glitches. Barnett noted that a running-focused style of play can easily lead to the penalties called on Glasgow. “I think we played hard all the way through,” said Glasgow’s lone scorer, Nieskens. “We will be focusing on the little things so hopefully we have no mistakes [against Lincoln County].”

Looking forward, Lee said, “We will have to come back this week and fix our imperfections so we that we can be as efficient as possible moving into the playoffs.” Attention to details seems to be on the minds of most of the Scotties.” Idler added, “This week at practice I expect us to really focus on the little details that make this Scottie football team the best one in the state.”

The Scotties will play the Lincoln County Lions in Eureka this Saturday, Oct. 31, with a 1 p.m. kickoff. The game will be covered on NFHS and KLTZ.