United North Central's defense held Pillager to only 156 yards in offense while Brady Yrjo sparked the offense by throwing for 201 yards in leading the Warriors to a 14-7 win last Friday night at Pillager.
Charlie Hrdlicka's 1-yard TD plunge in the first quarter and a 76-yard strike from Yrjo to Alex Brockpahler in the second quarter gave the Warriors a 14-0 lead at the half.
UNC's defense held until Justin Gangstad's 4-yard TD run in the fourth quarter ended the scoring.
"I thought the big key to the game was the play of our defense. Our defense only allowed 156 total yards and came up with some great plays down the stretch to get the win," said UNC head coach Jeremy Nordick. "I thought Pillager played a great game and had an outstanding game plan. They really keyed on stopping the run and we had a tough time finding some open lanes. We made some plays with our quarterback and receivers that really gave us a boost and we'll continue to make progress with our passing game."
Hrdlicka finished with 126 yards on 35 carries. Yrjo completed 10 of 21 passes with Brockpahler catching six passes for 144 yards.
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Defensively, Andy Floyd had four solo tackles and three assists and Tyler Ahlf had three solo tackles and four assists. Luke Hendrickson, Mike Hepola and Cory Chouinard also had three solo tackles each. Choui-nard also had a fumble recovery, Brockpahler intercepted a pass and Zach Nevala had two quarterback sacks.
"We are finding a way to win when we are not playing our best football," said Nordick, whose team im-proved to 3-1 on the season. "When we get in close, tough situations, our kids have been stepping up and doing what it takes to win. That will be very important as we come down the stretch these next few weeks and into the playoffs."
The Warriors played at Osakis Friday night and will host Parkers Prairie at Sebeka next Friday night.
UNC 6 8 0 0 .14
Pillager 0 0 0 7 7
SCORING
UNC-Hrdlicka 1 run (run failed)
UNC-Brockpahler 76 pass from Yrjo (Ahlf run)
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P-Gangstad 4 run (Alexander kick)
OFFENSIVE STATISTICS
RUSHING. UNC: Hrdlicka 35-126, Ahlf 7-25, Hendrickson 1-(-12). Pillager: Eastman 5-28, Martin 4-12.
PASSING. UNC: Yrjo 10-21-1 for 201 yards. Pillager: Ringler 7-24-1 for 115 yards.
RECEIVING. UNC: Brockpahler 6-144, Hrdlicka 2-27, Hendrickson 1-18, Kinnunen 1-12. Pillager: Baron 4-71.
KICKOFF RETURNS. UNC: Hrdlicka 2-43.
PUNT RETURNS. UNC: Ahlf 1-2.
UNC DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
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SOLO TACKLES: Floyd 4, Ahlf 3, Hendrickson 3, Hepola 3, Chouinard 3, Hrdlicka 2, Brockpahler 2, Meech 2, Nevala 2, Anderson 1, Klettenberg 1.
ASSISTED TACKLES: Ahlf 4, Hendrickson 3, Floyd 3, Klettenberg 3, Meech 2, Nevala 2, Hrdlicka 1, Anderson 1, Kinnunen 1, Puttonen 1, Brockpahler 1, Yrjo 1, Hepola 1, Tr. Hillukka 1, Pederson 1, Ylitalo 1.
FUMBLE RECOVERIES: Chouinard 1.
SACKS: Nevala 2, Ylitalo 1.
INTERCEPTIONS: Brockpahler 1.
PASSES BROKEN UP: Hendrickson 4, Hrdlicka 1, Anderson 1.
KICKOFFS: Ahlf 3 for 139 yards.
PUNTS: Ahlf 7 for 214 yards.
