Vikes blow past Boyd County
WAUSA — It may be safe to say that the Wausa Vikings could be on the path to ending a two-year playoff drought, even if the schedule will be plenty unforgiving over the last month-plus.
Wausa made quick work of visiting Boyd County last week, cruising to a 48-6 victory to move to 2-1 this season and are three points shy of being unbeaten.
Wausa ran for 291 yards, 134 of those coming on 17 carries from junior Josh Wattier, who also scored three times. Jaxon Claussen added 82 yards on nine carries and a score while he completed six-of-nine passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
Tucker Wright caused four passes for 51 yards and the two scores while also adding a 34-yard touchdown jaunt.
“Jaxon and Josh continue to lead the team on the offensive side of the ball with Tucker also starting to put his stamp on things,” Wausa head coach Adrian Alonzo said. “Tucker has become a player that we can count on to get things moving when we need to change it up a bit.
Our sophomore tandem of Cashe Carlson and Tucker were huge on the defensive side of the ball this week. Cashe has really started to play the linebacker position like we thought he could.”
Carlson had nine tackles, five for loss.
“When we need a hit, Cashe is going to be the kid that brings it,” Alonzo said. “Tucker chipped in with nine tackles and two interceptions and played a really good game.”
Wright said the Vikings came out early and were “flat” and might have taken Boyd County lightly since owning the win a year ago.
“Overall, it was a good game and we played hard,” Wright said. “It is nice that we don’t have to play great and still win. We are already doing a lot better than last year and love the feeling of winning.
“We are playing better as a team and are better bonding. We are tired of losing and want to have a winning season and a season with more than eight games.
Claussen added 12 tackles – three for loss, and a sack.
Next up this weekend is Humphrey Saint Francis, who is no slouch, but like Wausa proved in a 52-50 defeat at Osceola, the Vikings may be in the mix with the big boys this fall.
“They bring tradition, execution and overall football knowledge,” Alonzo said of this week’s opponent. “They are a great coached team that understands how to win games. We are feeling pretty good with our own results up to this point, so we are looking forward to a great week of practice and an opportunity to compete. As we get closer to district play, we need to keep taking it week by week.
“We are learning what our strengths and weaknesses are and started to capitalize on those. As I’ve told the kids from the beginning of the season, get better at every practice and play with confidence and things will work themselves out. I like our team and I love our desire to play football right now.”
Wright said the team’s communication is better and a lot of that can be traced back to the preseason work they put in. He also doesn’t think the good start will lead to any arrogance.
“We will keep humble because it’s been a long couple of seasons,” Wright said. “We have good leaders with Jaxon and Brandon Kristensen and Josh. They get on you to make sure you do it right. We can’t take any plays off.”
Wausa — 48
Boyd County — 6
Wausa Boyd County
Rushing 31-291 51-129
Passing 6-9-76 0-6-0
Total 37-367 57-129
Passing - Wausa - Jaxon Claussen, 6-9-76.
Rushing Wausa - Josh Wattier, 17-134; Jaxon Claussen, 9-82; Brandon Kristensen, 2-37; Tucker Wright, 1-34; Tug Dawson, 2-4.
Receiving - Wausa - Tucker Wright, 4-51; Josh Wattier, 1-5.
Tackles Wausa - Jaxon Claussen, 12; Tucker Wright, 9; Josh Wattier, 9; Cashe Carlson, 9; Tug Dawson, 6; Brandon Kristensen, 5; Jarrett Andersen, 5; Caleb Woockman, 5; Jyler Peterson, 3; Matt Rumsey, 3; Henry Kumm, 2.
