Matt Gurtcheff buried in the pile

 
APPLE VALLEY, Minnesota - The close of the 2008 regular season saw two teams at 3-4 and looking to go .500. Two teams taking two different paths to get to game 8 of the season. Apple Valley had lost 4 straight games, and the Eagan Wildcats came into the contest winning 2 out of 3.

The Apple Valley Eagles had been victims of one of the toughest schedules in the state, and a Wednesday night contest with Eagan was a perfect time to flip the switch and end a four game losing streak.

The first half saw a combined 90 yards total offense, and combined 12 penalities. Both teams provided glimmers of hope for getting on the scoreboard, but penalties and ineffectiveness limited both clubs. Thomas Obarski would come the closest to scoring first, but fell just short on a 34 yard field goal attempt.

The Apple Valley Eagles would come alive in the 2nd half, led by the legs of Matt Gurtcheff who would jump start the Eagles with a 45 yard touchdown run. It would be the first of 3 touchdown runs as the Eagles appeared to be intent on establishing the running game.

The Eagles would ride Gurtcheff once again midway in the 3rd quarter, as he forced his way into the endzone for his 2nd touchdown of the evening. After forcing the 2nd of 3 interceptions on the night, the Apple Valley Eagles found themselves with the football once again. Gurtcheff would find his way into the endzone for a 6 yard touchdown run.

Thomas Obarski would go 3 for 3 on the night in extra points.

Eagan would get on the scoreboard late in the 4th quarter as Jameson Parsons connected with Chris Osborn for a 21 yard touchdown pass. Parsons was 12-24 passing on the night with that touchdown pass, but struggled with his accuracy as Apple Valley came up with 3 interceptions. Osborn finished the game with 3 receptions for 46 yards.

Varmah Sonie finished the game with 9 carries for 75 yards, unofficially, and made his impact made offensive, defensively with an interception, and on special teams.

Both teams struggled mightilly with penalties, as Apple Valley managed to overcome 14 penalties for 109 yards lost, and Eagan had 6 penalties for 55 yards. Apple Valley would prevail in the turnover battle picking up 3 interceptions and a fumble on a punt return.

Eagan finishes the regular season at 3-5, Apple Valley finishes at 4-4. Both teams await their Section 3 Quarterfinal matchups, which will be played on Tuesday October 21st.

MSBN Players of the Game:
Eagan: Chris Osborn 3 Receptions 46 Yards & 1 TD, KO Returns 1 - 18 Yards, Punt Returns 2 - 37 Yards

Apple Valley: Matt Gurtcheff 28 Rush Attempts 159 Yards, Average Per Rush 5.7, 2 Receptions for 30 Yards,1 INT, & 3 TDs


Score by quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Eagan Wildcats 0 0 0 7 7
Apple Valley Eagles 0 0 21 0 21

Scoring summary Qtr Time Scoring play Eag App
Apple Valley 3 12:00 #5 Gurtcheff 45 yd run (#28 Obarski kick) 0 7
Apple Valley 3 12:00 #5 Gurtcheff 8 yd run (#28 Obarski kick) 0 14
Apple Valley 3 12:00 #5 Gurtcheff 6 yd run (#28 Obarski kick) 0 21
Eagan 4 12:00 #4 Parsons, Jameson 21 yd pass to #8 Osborn, Chris (#32 SEELY kick) 7 21