Week 6: Milledgeville vs Orangeville

The Missiles put the state on high alert as they rout #1 ranked Orangeville.

Milledgeville - The Game of the Week in the NUIC took us to the I8FA where #6 ranked Milledgeville played host to #1 ranked Orangeville. This matchup has put some points on the scoreboard over the past 5 seasons, and Friday night was no different as the 82 combined points was the most between these two schools in that stretch as Milledgeville walked away with a dominating 56-26 win to upset the Broncos.

Opening the game with the ball Orangeville wanted to make a point to attack first, and they did. After moving the ball for 12 yards on 3 plays, Gunar Lobdell broke loose off the right edge and down the sideline for a 55 yard TD run just 1:12 into the game. Milledgeville would block the extra point kick as Orangeville took the early 6-0 lead.

On their ensuing possession the Missiles went to work from their own 40 yard line. It didn't take long for the yards to pick up quickly as Connor Nye found Bryce Aude on the left side for a catch, then Aude showcased his speed and vision as he worked himself across the other side of the field for what looked like was going to be a score, however Aude would fumble the ball at the Orangeville 3 yard line after a 43 yard gain and Jake George landed on it for Orangeville.

The Missile defense would stiffen up as Orangeville was backed against their end zone. Forced into a 3 and out the Broncos were forced to punt, but a good punt rush allowed Bryce Aude to bring the punter down in the end zone for a safety.

On their next possession, Milledgeville would begin the drive at the Bronco 40 yard line after the free kick. It would take just over 2 minutes to cover the 40 yards as Nye would run it in from a yard out. The 2 point try was good as Milledgeville took the lead 10-6 with 2:52 left in the first quarter, and they would never look back after that.

The Missiles would bend a bit on defense, but would force the turnover on downs. Just a few moments later Ashton Nobis broke free up the middle for a 53 yard TD run. The 2 point try was successful again, and Milledgeville was up 18-6 with 10:17 to play in the second quarter.

The jabs starting coming as the intensity picked up. Starting their 4th possession at the Missile 47 yard line the Broncos would chew up 4 minutes off the clock before Lobdell broke free for a 17 yard TD run. This time Orangeville went for 2 and succeeded, to close the gap to 18-14 in favor of Milledgeville with 5:57 to go until halftime. That would be the closest the Broncos would get to Milledgeville the rest of the night.

Going right back to work and starting their drive at the Orangeville 42 yard line, the Missiles would mix it up with ground and air attacks, as Nye connected with Aude for 11 yards, Kieren Harris for 14 yards, and rushing attempts by Nye and Nobis. The drive was capped off as Nobis found the end zone for the 2nd time, this time from 4 yards out as he gutted his way up the middle, was hit, turned around, and the dove backwards to get the ball over the goal line for the score. The Missiles would 2 more points to make it 26-14 with 2:37 to play in the half.

Orangeville would put a drive together as they started from their own 44 yard line. Going to the air, Carson Rote found Nate Anderson for a 22 yard gain, and later for a 12 yard gain. With a minute left they connected again for a 13 yard scoring connection. Orangeville's try for 2 points failed as they cut the deficit to 26-20.

A big kick return by Aude set the Missiles up at the Orangeville 40 yard line with 49 seconds remaining. Just looking for a dagger shot, the Bronco defense would play well, but Nye finally found his target as he hit Aude for a 26 yard score with 25 seconds in the half. The extra point try failed as Milledgeville would carry their 32-20 lead into the half.

Starting off the 2nd half with the ball, Nobis would bust loose for a 55 yard TD run just 19 seconds in to extend the Missile lead to 40-20 after a successful 2 point try.

The Broncos would catch a break when they forced Milledgeville to punt with under 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter as the snap went over the head of the punter and was picked up at the Missile 33 yard line as the Broncos swarmed over them.

Getting put into a 4th down situation, Rote would roll right, then found Anderson down the left seam for a 28 yard TD connection to close the gap to 40-26 with 3:31 left in the 3rd quarter.

The 4th quarter would start just like the 3rd quarter did, as Nye would score just 13 seconds in to extend the Missile lead to 48-26. Exactly 5:30 later, Nye would put the final points on the board with another TD run, his 3rd of the night to bring the score to 56-26.

Blake Schurman would pick up an Orangeville fumble to help the Missiles close out the game in a huge win at Floyd-Daub Field.

Connor Nye would lead the Missiles with 4 total TD's going 13-18 passing for 228 yards and adding 92 yards rushing. Ashton Nobis led the Missile ground game with 169 yards rushing and 3 TD's, while picking up another 46 yards through the air. Bryce Aude hauled in 5 passes for 128 yards and a TD, while Kieren Harris picked up 48 yards through the air.

For the Broncos, Gunar Lobdell rushed for 192 yards and 2 scores. Carson Rote went 5-12 passing for 89 yards and 2 TD's. Nate Anderson caught the ball 5 times for 89 yards and 2 scores.

Milledgeville (5-1) will take a trip up to Aquin (5-1) in another showdown among I8FA state ranked teams at Conley Field in Freeport.

The Broncos (5-1) will head to River Ridge (2-4) as they look to regroup from this loss.