For the first time as an 11-man football program, the MMCRU Royals have advanced to play in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The top-ranked Royals defeated sixth-ranked Woodbury Central 42-6 in Marcus on Friday night to solidify their spot in the semifinal round.
MMCRU boasts a class of 21 seniors that have brought the program from three wins as freshmen to the final four as seniors. Brayson Mulder says it is a dream come true for everyone on the team.
Michael Schmillen says this class has always had success coming up through the ranks, but it was not guaranteed in high school. He says he is thrilled to go to Cedar Falls.
MMCRU head coach Kyle Oswald says this experience is great, and he hopes it will be a reminder that there are two more chances to feel like this again.
Coach Oswald presided over some rough years of the 11-man game. In the first seven years of 11-man football, the Royals won a total of seven games. Now, they are going to Cedar Falls. He says this win is not just for the current Royals. He says it is also for all the Royals who pushed and battled through some tough seasons on the field.
MMCRU came out and set the tone right away on the defensive side. Woodbury Central’s third play of the game ended with Wyatt Alesch returning an interception back 30 yards for a touchdown. Coach Oswald says that was a great catalyst that turned into some great play the rest of the game.
Schmillen had a key hand on the defensive side of the ball recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass in the win. He says MMCRU’s focus on defense was shutting down the run, and the Royals continued to do that holding Woodbury Central to just two first downs and zero points in the first half.
The Royal defense has been at the top of the state rankings in many categories. Schmillen says that has been a goal for this team, and they have responded to that goal well.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Royals struggled on their first drive of the night going three and out. Coach Oswald thought that might be a sign of things to come, but the Royals were able to pick things up and run the score to 35-0 by halftime.
Mulder ran for 94 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown as part of his night on offense. He says he would never get very far without the play of the offensive line.
Schmillen also had a touchdown reception to finish off MMCRU’s scoring early in the third quarter. He says the combination of running and passing power this team has makes them tough to prepare for.
When things were said and done, six different Royals scored their six different touchdowns in the win. Coach Oswald says that is the perfect outcome in a game like this.
After the game was over, the festivities included a traditional bell ringing on the east side of the stadium, and the fans coming together on the field. Mulder says to do that one final time with his classmates was special.
In getting prepared for a Dome trip next week, Mulder says the preparation leading up to the game does not change very much. He says it will require some extra focus and concentration on the task at hand.
A while after the game had ended, MMCRU learned their fate at the UNI-Dome. The Royals will rematch with a district rival taking on West Sioux in the state semifinals next week. Coach Oswald says this just highlights the strength of the district, and he knows the Falcons will be hungry for revenge.
MMCRU and West Sioux kick off their state semifinal at 1:00 PM on Thursday afternoon in Cedar Falls. KLEM Radio will broadcast the game with coverage anticipated to begin at 12:30 PM.
