Blue Earth Area quarterback Jacob Grandgenett’s pass was right on target for Buccaneer wide receiver Blake Sonnek to catch for a touchdown in the opening half of the Bucs’ game against Maple River. Unfortunately for BEA, Maple River rallied to win the game 7-6 in the fourth quarter.

Like many of their games in recent years, the latest football clash between the Blue Earth Area Buccaneers and the Maple River Eagles was decided by a thin margin.

Maple River spoiled BEA’s homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 22, with a fourth quarter touchdown and extra point kick to go home with a 7-6 victory.

A steady drizzle fell throughout most of the game and resulted in a number of bad snaps and fumbles by both teams.

The Bucs, who had taken the lead in the second quarter on a 26-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jacob Grandgenett to Blake Sonnek, missed on other opportunities to pad their lead.

BEA journeyed into the red zone a couple of times only to have penalties or other miscues put an end to their scoring attempts.

Meanwhile, the Bucs’ defense held the Eagles in check until Maple River quarterback Zach Trio connected with receiver Braxton Simon in the fourth quarter for a 17-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 6-6. Julius Jeroncic’s extra point kick sailed through the uprights for what proved to be the winning point.

With the Eagles holding a 7-6 lead, the Bucs were unable to mount a scoring drive in the closing minutes of the game.

BEA lost the services of Grandgenett early in the fourth quarter when he suffered recurring leg cramps.

The Bucs’ defensive effort included an interception by Gage Barker and fumble recoveries by Sonnek and Ethan Oppedal.

The Bucs limited the Eagles to 132 yards of total offense.

Leading tacklers for BEA were Kade Gaydon and Emanuel Granillo with six each. Caleb Langager, Joe Bell and Noah Dahl recorded four tackles each. Gaydon was also credited with a quarterback sack.

On offense, Grandgenett was 7-for-19 passing for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Grandgenett also rushed the ball 13 times for 80 yards. Gaydon had eight carries for 41 yards.

Blue Earth played host to Luverne on Sept. 30 before going on the road to Lake Crystal on Friday, Oct. 6, to take on the Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Knights.

Look for stories on those games in upcoming issues of the Faribault County Register.