The Dragons dropped to 1-4 on the season Friday night with a 12-6 loss to Esko on Homecoming night.
It was a unseasonably cold game for the Dragons as the temperature dropped to the low 40's for kickoff and kept dropping as the game went along. That didn't stop the Pine City faithful from coming out and supporting the Dragons for their homecoming game.
Esko came out strong to start the game scoring early in the first quarter on big 34 yard touchdown run by Kevin Gregory III. Pine City's defense held tough for a few drives, but the offense couldn't get anything on the board.
Esko would score again with 8:56 to go in the second quarter on a 25 yard touchdown pass and looked as though they would head to the half with a 12-0 lead. With 2:56 to go in the half and Esko getting the ball back to start the second half, Pine City desperately needed a long drive to get them back in the game. But it wasn't a long drive that did it for Pine City, it was one play as Konnor Jusczak found Nick Hansmann for a deep reception. Hansmann, who was earlier crowned homecoming king, would do the rest after the catch taking it 68 yards to the endzone to give Pine City life heading into halftime.
The second half was not nearly as exciting as both teams traded possessions forcing punts, turnover on downs, and fumbles. Pine City got the ball back on a fumble recovery late in the 4th quarter with about three minutes left on the clock and looked as if they were poised to tie the game at 12. But a late interception near the endzone ended Pine City's hopes for a comeback and the Dragons ended up losing their fourth straight game.
In all four of their losses Pine City has at times looked like a better team than their opponent. The Dragons are just a few plays away from flipping the script and being 4-1. Pine City will travel next week for their last road game of the season as they take on their rivals from Mora who are now 5-0 on the season.
That game kicks off Friday, October 5th at 7:00 and can be heard on 106.5FM/AM1350 and wcmpradio.com
Photo Credit to Lancelot Furber
