Team Prospect Report: Paynesville Bulldogs

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">One game does not define a season. The fact that the Paynesville Bulldogs 2A state semi-final opponent was an undefeated, two-time state champion who last was involved in a one-score game was in the second week of the season doesn&#39;t diminish the season the Bulldogs had. They got to the semi-finals for the first time since 1979 and amassed a 10-3 record for a reason – reasons we will highlight now.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Defensively the Bulldogs held five opponents under twenty points – including a shutout in the third week of the season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Early in Thursday&#39;s game safety <strong>Zach Schroeder</strong> came across the field to get in good position to defend a deep pass.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Cornerback <strong>Sam Oehrlein</strong> was in tight coverage on an outside receiver. Then later after a short completion, he made a tackle in the open field that could have resulted in a first down. On the offensive side of the ball, he caught an out pattern, broke a couple of tackles and picked up a first down.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">In their six regular-season victories, Paynesville scored over 40 points a game and despite Caledonia&#39;s stifling defense the Bulldogs&#39; offense showed flashes of that regular season success. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">On a designed run, quarterback <strong>Max Weidner</strong> ran behind <strong>Jack Poepping</strong> for a six-yard gain. Later he ran behind guard <strong>Jadon Holzer</strong> and tackle <strong>Trevor Hemmesch</strong> for a first down. The junior quarterback showed good movement in the pocket as well. He scrambled for five yards and then on a third and long he scrambled for another first down.  </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Running back Schroeder got free to the outside behind Holzer, and <strong>Jake Arnold</strong> had some success running between the tackles. Like his quarterback, the junior running back has been a productive runner all season for the Bulldogs. In the section final, he ran for over 100 yards.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">The Bulldogs had some success running some trap plays. <strong>Jared Campbell</strong> and Poepping both showed good ability to get across the formation and open a hole with trap blocks.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Weidner threw a nice ball to the outside to connect with <strong>Grant Ludwig</strong> on an out route.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">In the second half – although the result of the game was decided Paynesville&#39;s first-team offense got into the end zone with a 38-yard run by Schroeder – who was the team&#39;s most effective runner with eight carries for 60 yards.</span></span></p>