KoMets beat Bears, remember teammate Aidan Hegge.

Opening up a beautiful night of football in November, the Kasson-Mantorville football team took a moment of silence to remember former teammate, Aidan Hegge. Hegge passed away this past summer, on July 27. Junior classmates, Sean Inman and Thomas Jensen, presented his blue and white game jerseys, where they were placed on the KM team bench with the team. 
“We miss our teammate, Aidan. #74 is lost, but never forgotten”, said Junior Brooks Buchanan.
The KoMets took this last week to reset and refocus on the task at hand, the Byron Bears. 
Just seven miles apart on Highway 14, the Kasson-Mantorville vs Byron football game tends to be one of the highlight games of the year. The last time Byron beat KM was in 2003 during the section play-off game. 
Byron, coming into last Friday night’s game, was 4-0 while KM was 2-1. Byron’s senior running back, Austin Freerksen, had already rushed for 1,114 yards this season, putting up 15 touchdowns in just four games. The KoMets knew their defense had to be locked in to shut down Byron’s running game, forcing them to go to the air. They also knew that they needed to correct their own offensive turnovers. 
The KoMets kicked off to start the game. Matt Donovan, playing corner, picked off an interception on Byron’s third play of the game, giving the KoMets possession on the 32 yard line. 
KM set the tone and got on the board during their opening drive. Junior, Anthony Moe-Tucker, pushed it in from just one yard out for the first touchdown of the game. Aaron Winkle’s kick is good. 
The KoMe’s defense shuts down Byron’s running game, forcing them to punt. KM puts together a long drive downfield, utilizing six different ball carriers. Logan Vaugh would capture the next touchdown, running it in from nine yards out. Winkle’s kick for the extra point is blocked. With 1:02 left on the clock of the first quarter, KM leads 13-0.
Byron, unable to gain any momentum on offense, fumbles on their next drive on the 41 yard line.  The fumble was forced and recovered by Moe-Tucker. 
Pushing the ball forward on the ground, the KoMets were unable to reach the end zone. Winkle’s 25 yard field goal attempt hooked left, no good. 
Byron’s Freerksen would then put together 66 yards in nine carries. Byron, trying to get into the end zone as the time runs out in the first half, was unable to score. KM keeps the lead 13-0 heading into halftime. 
The KoMets would receive to start the second half. Byron would struggle with defensive penalties, which the KoMets gained extra yardage from. KM would go for the field goal from the 29 yard line.  Byron blocked the kick and recovered the ball.
With 9:51 on the clock for the third quarter, Byron started their long drive down field. With what looked to be a touchdown pass in the end zone, Jace Bigelow picked it off for an interception and would return the ball to the 14 yard line. 
Moe-Tucker, Kennedy, Donovan, Buchanan and Vaughan would hit the ground running, marching the ball back downfield. Donovan would run it in for the touchdown from 7 yards out. This time, the KoMets would go for the two point conversion where Moe-Tucker would push forward for two. 
Denying the Bears yet again, Dovovan would go on to score for a second time, running this one in from 12 yards out. Extra point is good!  KM now leading, 28-0.
 
 
Byron quarterback, Drew Scheuer, would feed the ball to Feerksen for nine successful carries and find receiver, Matt Miller for a 41-yard completion. Feerksen would run in the Bear’s first touchdown from 8 yards out with 6:44 remaining to play in the fourth quarter. 
The KoMets would fumble on their next drive, turning the ball over to the Bears on the 49 yard line with 1:58 remain in the game. 
With :30 second left in the game, Byron’s, Tyler Fox, would put up one more touchdown for the Bears. Extra point blocked. Final score 28-13. 
“It was a long week after you come off of a tough game like we did the week before. Players and coaches can start doubting things. The players responded with a great week of practice and were focused on our objectives throughout the week.” Head Coach Swanson said.
“I am proud of how the players learned from our mistakes from the week before. Everyone seemed focused Friday night. This was because of them mentally preparing themselves each day of the week.” said Swanson. 
The KoMets put up a total of 359 offensive yards. Matt Donovan led the team with 119 yards and 2 touchdowns. Moe-Tucker and Kennedy both had 82 yards each on 12 carries. Moe-Tucker and Vaughan both had one touchdown each. 
Kennedy led the defense with 8 solo tackles and 9 assists. KM’s two interceptions were by Donovan and Bigelow. The KM defense held Byron to 284 total yards; holding Feerksen to 164 rushing yards. 
Junior Sean Inman, reflectsed on the game and on his friend, Aidan Hegge. 
“Aidan was a kid who loved for others to be happy.  (Tonight) was a tough game, but we played a heck of a game and had a good time. We knew he was on the sidelines with us as we played our butts off. We love and miss you Aidan,” said Inman. 
The KoMets were to celebrate their seniors and play their last regular season game on Wednesday, at home against Winona.
 
Offensive Stats:
Total offense:  359 yards
 
Passing:
Donovan: Completed passes: 2/4  Yds: 17  TD: 0 Int: 0
Receiving:
7 Logan Vaugh: Rec: 1 Yds: 14 Avg: 14.0 TD: 0
1 Jace Bigelow: Rec: 1 Yds: 3  Avg: 3.0  TD: 0
Rushing:
4 Matt Donovan:  Carries: 18  Yds: 119  Avg: 6.6  TD: 2
5 Anthony Moe Tucker:  Carries: 12  Yds: 82  Avg: 6.8  TD: 1
42 Jackson Kennedy:   Carrieds: 12  Yds: 82  Avg: 6.8   TD: 0
 
Defensive Leaders:
Jackson Kennedy:  Solo tackles:  8, Assists: 9
Anthony Moe-Tucker:  Solo tackles:  3,  Assists: 8
Gavin Giesler:  Solo tackles: 2, Assists: 4
Brooks Buchanan: Solo tackles:  3, Assists: 1, Pass Defended: 1