BPH grinds out 18-7 win in Mapleton

Blooming Prairie/Hayfield (BPH) picked up a key road win in Mapleton last week by taking down the Eagles 18-7 in enemy territory.

The low-scoring game was a defensive masterclass for the most part, and when BPH needed its defense the most, its players stepped up.

“Guys executed and flew around. We played physical and got it done. They had one scoring drive, but we came up with a great game plan. Our coaches called a great game and guys executed. That’s what it takes. Our players love playing defense, and you can see that,” said BPH Co-Head Coach Chad Gimbel.

The first quarter remained scoreless as BPH punted twice and Maple River failed to convert two fourth down attempts.

The Eagles looked like the better offensive team through two drives out-gaining BPH 56 yards to -8, but the multiple failed fourth-down plays kept the game close.

Maple River did manage to light the scoreboard first with a one-yard touchdown rush to finish off a 26-yard scoring drive after an errant BPH punt, but the Eagles’ 7-0 lead would be short-lived.

On its next possession, BPH strung together multiple chunk gains during a 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive, capped by a five-yard passing touchdown from quarterback Chase Escamilla to wide receiver Christian Mealy.

BPH was unable to convert the extra point, keeping Maple River ahead 7-6 in the second quarter.

Both teams traded punts after the consecutive scoring drives, but it was BPH that would find the endzone again next.

Right before the half, BPH strung together a six-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 37-yard pass from Escamilla to wide receiver Jesse Mealy to give their team a 13-7 lead.

BPH elected to go for two on the play but an interception resulted in a failed attempt.

Neither side was able to score again before the half, keeping BPH’s six-point lead intact.

The third quarter closely resembled the first with both teams punting and struggling to get anything going on offense.

However, late in the third, BPH began to put together the drive that would win the game for the team.

A 10-play, 69-yard drive that stretched into the fourth quarter ended with a perfect pass from Escamilla that found Jesse Mealy near the front pylon of the endzone for the game-sealing score.

“[Escamilla] did a great job. We talk about taking care of the ball as a program, but I told him, ‘Sometimes you can’t be too careful. You can’t be afraid to throw interceptions.’ He’s obviously a great runner, but he also gave our guys chances to make plays all night. He’s growing a lot,” said Gimbel on BPH’s senior quarterback.

The dart from 23 yards out was enough to give BPH an 11-point cushion as time dwindled down for Maple River to mount a comeback.

The Eagles had some success moving the ball on a 12-play, 40-yard drive, but BPH’s defense rose to the occasion to stop the opposition on fourth down and take over possession with little time remaining.

The win improved BPH to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, good for a tie with WEM for first place in the Mid-South – Silver Division.

BPH’s next matchup will be at home against St. Clair/Loyola on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.

Player Stats

BPH

Passing

#12 Chase Escamilla – 17/30 195 3 TD

Rushing

#12 Escamilla – 13 att. 68 yards; #44 Lukas DenHerder – 8 att. 30 yards; #5 Jesse Mealy – 3 att. 12 yards; #18 Easton Johnson – 1 att. 5 yards; #4 Christian Mealy – 1 att. -1 yard

Receiving

#5 Jesse Mealy – 8 rec. 135 yards 2 TD; #4 Christian Mealy – 3 rec. 40 yards 1 TD; #44 DenHerder – 2 rec. 13 yards; #8 Jaxon Meier – 1 rec. 5 yards; #7 Eliot Gimbel – 3 rec. 2 yards