By Michael Rupp
MMCRU traveled three hours South to Sidney for a week 8 non-district matchup against the Cowboys. The Royals came to Sidney in search of their first win of the season. Sidney won their first game of the season, but have not been in the winners column since then.
The Royals, backed by a surprising large crowd, came into the night with some fire. After recovering an opening onside kick, Sophomore Quarterback Jonah Petersen marched the offence 46 yards in 7 plays, and topped off the drive with a Eban Hicks 4 yard touchdown run. Brenin Stodden missed the extra point and the Royals led 6-0.
Sidney responded in the 1st quarter. Senior Cole Stenzel lined up under center and ran the quarterback sneak for a one yard touchdown run. Sidney’s two point conversion was good, and the score was 8-6.
The Royals took back the lead in the 2nd quarter. Petersen rolled left looking to throw, but after seeing nothing open, Petersen took off for the endzone and ran 5 yards for the touchdown. The Royals failed a 2 point try making the score 12-8.
Late in the second quarter MMCRU started a drive inside Cowboy territory. It only took the Royals 2 plays to get into the endzone. Petersen found Senior Keegan Steevens for a 16 yard touchdown. The point try was good and the Royals led 20-8.
Sidney scored again in the 3rd quarter making the score 20-14. MMCRU possessed the ball for nearly 7 minutes, relying heavily on the run game from Hicks. On 4th and 1 Eban Hicks took the handoff and ran 31 yards to the endzone for his second touchdown of the night. Brenin Stodden made the extra point and the Royals led 27-14. The Royals would hold off the Cowboys offence throughout the 4th quarter, and went home with their first win of the season.
Petersen played well in his 3rd start, going 19/26 passing for 163 yards and a touchdown. He had a lot of help from his Offensive line, who did not allow a single sack. Eban Hicks had a big game, rushing for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. Freshman Jace Colling led the team in receiving with 4 receptions for 49 yards.
The win breaks the Royals 13 game losing streak, and gives the young team hope for the future.