Menominee hook-and-ladder executed to perfection

September 13, 2008


Prep football: Marshfield drops heartbreaker

By Casey Krautkramer
For the Marshfield News-Herald

There were 12 touchdowns scored in Friday's border battle clash between Marshfield and Menominee (Mich.), but the outcome of the game came down to a single play.

Marshfield quarterback Luke Accola found Grant Bornbach for a 14-yard touchdown strike, but the Tigers still needed the two-point conversion to tie the game and Acccola's conversion pass to fullback Matt Hawley was deflected with seconds remaining as the Maroons escaped Beell Stadium with a 41-39 win.

The Tigers led 26-14 in the fourth quarter, but the Maroons stormed back when Jacob Pedesen, a multi-dimensional player who had nearly 300 yards of total offense, tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Justin Salzman.

Marshfield's back breaker was Menominee's designed split hook-and-ladder play when Jordan Maccoux passed the ball 10 yards to Salzman, who then pitched the ball back to Pedesen who streaked down the sidelines for a 60-yard touchdown run. The huge play gave the Maroons a 29-26 lead following Maccoux's 2-point conversion pass to Pedesen.

Menominee coach Ken Hoffer, in his 40th season coaching, said the hook-and-ladder play was executed to perfection out of his team's single wing offense, thanks to Pedesen's speed.

"Pedesen had a hell of a game, but the rest of the team played well, too," he said.

Marshfield immediately answered Menominee's score with a 45-yard touchdown scamper by senior running back Dipo Fagbemi and extra point by Sully Luepke, to take a 33-29 lead.

Menominee came back with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Maccoux to Pedesen, but the conversion passed failed, giving the Maroons a 35-33 advantage. The Maroons continued to ride the wave of momentum when Pedesen intercepted his second pass of the game and returned it for a 21-yard touchdown. The Maroons held a 41-33 lead, as Menominee's fans chanted "UP Power."

Accola completed 20 of 23 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Danczak, coming off a three-touchdown performance last week in a win over Medford, had the hot receiving hand again, catching six balls for 123 yards and a 57-yard TD in the third quarter.

Fagbemi added 140 yards rushing on the ground, but Marshfield was outgained by the Maroons 443-374.

Maroons 41, Tigers 39

Menominee, Mich. 7 7 7 20 -- 41

Marshfield 0 6 13 20 -- 39

MEN--Jacob Pedsen 30 pass from Jordan Maccoux (Steve Busick kick).

MEN--Pedesen 31 pass from Maccoux (Busick kick).

MAR--Dipo Fagbemi 1 run (conversion pass failed).

MAR--Ryan Danczak 57 pass from Luke Accola (conversion pass failed)

MAR--Danczak 18 pass from Accola (Sully Luepke kick)

MAR--Joshua Lutz 2 run (Luepke kick)

MEN--Justin Salzman 5 pass from Pedersen (Busick kick)

MEN--Pedesen 70 yard pitch from Salzmann (Pedesen convesion pass from Maccoux)

MFLD--Fagbemi 45 run (Luepke kick)

MEN--Salzman 15 pass from Maccoux (conversion pass failed)

MEN--Pedesen 21 interception (kick failed)

MFLD--Grant Bornbach 14 pass from Accola (conversion pass failed)

MEN MAR

First downs 16 12

Total yards 443 374

Rushes-yards 40-170 28-142

Passing yards 273 232

Comp.-Att.-INT 27-28-1 21-24-2

Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-0

Individual leaders

Rushing-MEN: Pedesen 22-171. MFLD: Fagbemi 22-140.

Receiving-MEN: Pedesen 10-122. MFLD: Danczak 6-123.

Passing-MEN: Maccoux 20-21-1-194. MFLD: Luke Accola 20-23-2-232.

Records: Menominee 2-1 overall; Marshfield 2-1 overall.

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