The MMCRU football team completed a district runner-up regular season with a 42-13 win over Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn in Marcus on Friday night.
The Royals opened the season 0-2 dropping both of their non-district games early in the season. It was a point in the season in which they could have easily folded up shop. Head coach Colin Youde says this is a special group that responded to adversity.
The Royals were also coming off a disappointing 57-0 loss to No. 2 West Sioux in the previous week. It was a loss that made MMCRU reflect on what it is going to take for them to be a successful team in the playoff hunt. Coach Youde says it also brought his team back to the basics on what needs to happen to be successful.
MMCRU quarterback Eli Harpenau stole the show on offense accounting for 270 yards of offense and five touchdowns with three on the ground and two through the air. Coach Youde says Harpenau’s leadership has made him a great captain both on the field and off of it.
The Royals now turn their attention to the playoffs where they will get to play the first round in Marcus against West Monona. Coach Youde says the Royals will be locked in to their opponent and hope to put a good product on the field on Friday.
MMCRU and West Monona kick off at 7:00 PM in Marcus on Friday night in the opening round of the Class A playoffs.
