Defensive lineman Joe Bell (72) is shown above putting pressure on the Luverne quarterback in a game earlier this season.

The Blue Earth Area football team picked up their first win of the season on Friday, Oct. 6 when they traveled to Lake Crystal and defeated the Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Knights 24-7.

After a scoreless opening quarter, the Knights struck first when they recovered a BEA fumble and drove 35 yards in four plays for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead. Running back Isaiah Hernandez scored the touchdown on a 15-yard run. The kick for the extra point was good and LCWM had a 7-0 lead.

The Bucs began their ensuing drive at their own 30-yard line following a five yard kickoff return by Kade Gaydon.

Gains of five and 14 yards by BEA quarterback Jacob Grandgenett, a seven yard run by Caleb Langager and another nine-yard gain by Grandgenett moved the ball into the Knights’ territory at the 35-yard line.

Three plays later the Bucs found themselves at the 27-yard line facing a fourth down with two yards to go for a first down.

They got the two yards they needed and more when Grandgenett broke loose for a 27-yard touchdown run. Langager carried the ball across the goal line for the two-point conversion and BEA moved in front of LCWM 8-7 late in the second quarter.

The Knights only had enough time for four plays before the first half came to an end with the Bucs holding a one-point lead.

BEA’s first drive in the second half ended when LCWM blocked Grandgenett’s punt attempt and recovered the ball at the Bucs’ 27 yard line.

The Knights advanced the ball to the Bucs’ 14-yard line before a quarterback sack and an offensive penalty backed LCWM all the way back to the 27-yard line. The Knights completed a four-yard pass to the 23-yard line, but Kade Gaydon intercepted LCWM’s next pass attempt at the 26-yard line and returned the ball 14 yards to the BEA 40-yard line.

A 15-yard pass interference penalty against the Knights’ defense moved the ball across midfield to the LCWM 45-yard line.

Grandgenett completed a five-yard pass to Branson Hauskins to the 40-yard line and Langager had an 11-yard run to advance the ball to the 29-yard line of the Knights.

Later in the drive, Grandgenett completed a 12-yard pass to Hauskins that moved the ball to the five-yard line.

Langager took over from there and two plays later the senior running back scored from the one-yard line to boost BEA’s lead to 14-7. Langager then ran the ball in for the two-point conversion to put BEA on top 16-7 near the end of the third quarter.

Another big play by the Bucs’ defense led to the Maroon and Gold’s third touchdown of the evening.

Following a Grandgenett punt on BEA’s first drive of the fourth quarter, LCWM took over on their 32-yard line.

On the Knights’ first play of the drive, Gage Barker intercepted a pass at the LCWM 39-yard line and returned the ball 36 yards to give the Bucs a first down and goal at the three-yard line.

Two rushes by Langager resulted in another BEA touchdown. Langager’s second touchdown of the night and his successful run for a two-point conversion increased the Bucs’ lead to 24-6 and ended the scoring for the evening.

BEA compiled 15 first downs during the game and gained a total of 209 yards on offense, rushing for 192 yards and passing for 17.

Langager was the leading rusher with 116 yards on 25 attempts. Grandgenett added 60 yards on 14 carries.

Grandgenett only attempted seven passes and he completed two. Branson Hauskins had both receptions and gained 17 yards.

In addition to Gaydon’s and Barker’s interceptions, the BEA defense also sacked the Knights’ quarterback twice.

The Bucs were back home on Friday, Oct. 13, to host the Le Sueur-Henderson Giants. Check out next week’s Faribault County Register for the results of that game.