Football: Z-M tallies tight win against Cotter

With 2 minutes, 4 seconds left against Winona Cotter on Friday, Zumbrota-Mazeppa quarterback Kurt Gadient tossed a five-yard touchdown strike to Kevin Niebuhr, putting the Cougars over Winona Cotter 14-7 in Winona in a Gold Division game in the Hiawatha Valley League.

Niebuhr had a strong showing on offense with seven catches and 91 yards. But it was on defense where he really made his impact against the Ramblers.

The Z-M senior had three sacks, and with the game scoreless midway through the third quarter, Niebuhr recovered a fumble in the end zone. An extra point by Jacob Tschann put the Cougars up 7-0.

As a team, Z-M forced Cotter into three fumbles and two interceptions. Cody Krueger finished with seven tackles and a fumble recovery, and Ellis Hirman and Sam Edwards each finished with an interception.

Cougars head coach Willie Rauen credited his defense for stepping up in a huge way after halftime.

“Cotter had the one drive in the second half,” Rauen said, “but otherwise, we did a really nice job of shutting everything down.”

Ryan Grant tied the game up for the Ramblers with 2:18 left in the third on a one-yard touchdown run. He also booted the extra point to put the score at 7-7. That was the only time Cotter would sniff the end zone for the rest of the contest.

Z-M travels to Kenyon-Wanamingo next Friday.

Tags: sports, prep, football, zumbrota, mazeppa