Brainerd Lumberjacks

Jacks earn first win SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL By NATHAN BROWN Sports Writer The only thing more brutal than the wind bustling through Harvey Shew Field at the Franklin Art Center on Saturday was the 46-0 rout the hard-hitting Brainerd Lumberjacks put on the Central Minnesota Mustangs. After a heart-breaking loss in week one to the Lakes Area Screaming Eagles, the Lumberjacks hit back with vengeance as they rumbled for 381 yards and six touchdowns before an estimated 600 fans. "We feel like we played a good team (last week) and we had them beat," Lumberjacks running back Shawn "Crazy Legs" Nelson said. "We feel like we had them beat, and it just set the tone for this week." Two of the first three plays resulted in 19- and 16-yard gains as Shaun People set the tone for the Lumberjacks' running attack. The Lumberjacks' ground game gave the Mustangs fits all night as they juked their way to 231 yards. "For offense the main thing we wanted to do was power running," Lumberjacks fullback Mike Munsterteiger said in regard to the adjustments that were made in preparation for Saturday's game. The Lumberjacks' power running was awe-inspiring, with eight plays going for 10 yards or more, and a 9-yard rumble by Munsterteiger as he pounded his way into the end zone with three Mustang defenders on his legs. Shawn Nelson, who played along side J.J. Kern for the then-Alexandria Mustangs in 2003, jokingly claimed he was playing with a vendetta against his former team. Six years after earning the nickname "Crazy Legs," Nelson led the Lumberjacks with two touchdowns and 90 yards on 12 carries. Perhaps the only thing more inspiring than the ankle-breaking moves and broken tackles was the Lumberjacks' outstanding defensive effort. Led by Pete Ryan and Ben Baratto with 5.5 tackles apiece, the stifling defense gave up only 79 yards. After only gaining six yards on their first three-and-out possession, the Mustangs found themselves traveling backward on their next two and finishing with a solitary yard of production after the first quarter. The Lumberjacks' stone-wall defense finished with two sacks, 10 tackles for losses, and an interception by Caleb Forstrom that was returned 40 yards for a score. The Mustangs never gave up despite their roster being reduced to 18 players after a community college coach forbid his players from participating in the league. "They had a lot of heart," Munsterteiger said of the Mustangs. "They went out there and played hard the first half. When we scored right away it took the wind out of their sails." The Lumberjacks added several new plays this week, including screens, pitch plays and a quarterback bootleg that they converted for two touchdowns. "They worked out OK," Munsterteiger said about the new plays, "but it seemed like we're trying to learn from last week. I think another week of practice and they'll go better." The adjustments that were made, and the new plays that Lumberjacks coach Kern implemented this week, are a great start, but the Lumberjacks still have room for improvement. "There are still a lot of places where we need to get better," Kern said before praising his players for many of the adjustments that were made. The Lumberjacks have a short time to iron out the wrinkles as they draw the Rochester Giants, who have won five of the past six league championships, at 6 p.m. Saturday. "We've got a lot of tough games coming up, and if we come out sloppy like the first half it isn't going to happen," Munsterteiger said. "We have to be on our game. We've got a lot to improve on." The Lumberjacks have shown immense improvement just two weeks into the season. "We did better, we didn't make any mental mistakes," Kern said. The Lumberjacks were edged 27-23 by the Eagles last week because of missed opportunities, turnovers, and were hurt by the big play. They found themselves on the other end of the spectrum Saturday as they allowed only one play over 10 yards and committed no turnovers. Despite the staunch defense and improved running game, how good the Lumberjacks are remains to be seen. "I'll tell you next week," Kern said. "We'll see what the Lumberjacks are made of after next week." Lumberjacks draw crowd, but not a 'W' SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL By NATHAN BROWN Sports Writer Thanksgiving games of touch-football and living vicariously through the men wearing Vikings' purple can no longer be considered reliving the glory days for former Brainerd area football players. The Brainerd Lumberjacks elevated the standard with Saturday's smash-mouthed gridiron battle that resulted in a 27-23 loss to the Detroit Lakes Screaming Eagles. Led by quarterback Karson Pike, the Lumberjacks pounded out 330 offensive yards before an electrified crowd of nearly 700 fans at Harvey Shew Field. Ben Baratto of the Brainerd Lumberjacks ran past defenders Saturday during the team's debut against the Detroit Lakes Screaming Eagles. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey » Purchase reprints of this photo. "It was a good start for the first time playing together as a team," Pike said. "We only lost by four and had plenty of opportunities." The Lumberjacks' struggled early during the inaugural game, but chewed up 68 yards on 11 plays resulting in a 16-yard touchdown pass from Pike to Luke Nelson. "It was our first game, I was proud of us," Lumberjacks coach JJ Kern said. "I think they (the Screaming Eagles) played pretty good football, too. It was a good quality football game." For some players it was the first time suiting up for full-contact football. For others it was a return to the field since the completion of their high school or collegiate careers. "(2005) was the last time I played contact football," Pike said, "so I had to knock the rust off a little bit." Hundreds of fans gathered at Harvey Shew Field at the Franklin Arts Center to cheer on the Brainerd Lumberjacks in their first game. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey » Purchase reprints of this photo. Pike, a former Central Lakes College player, was joined by other Brainerd area products like the Foy brothers - Mike, Chris and Matt. All three brothers played defensive end for the Brainerd Warriors, but this is the first time all three have gotten a chance to play together. "It's something we've always talked about," Chris Foy said in regards to lining up along side one another. In their first game together, the Foy brothers were impressive bolstering the defense and limiting the Screaming Eagles to fewer than 250 yards of total offense. The fact that key players like Pike, Matt and Mike Foy haven't played full contact for several years may lead some to believe semi-pro football is nothing more than a mish-mashed group of former players trying to relive their glory days. "A lot of people don't know what semi-pro is," Kern said. "A lot of people think it's just a bunch of old guys running around." That misconception was quickly stomped out as the intensity and talent matched that of many college games. "We definitely are taking this as a serious sport and not just a hobby," Mike Foy said. "We're playing to win and we're playing good. We're playing for the fans, too. It was an excellent showing." Despite the rain and cold temperatures, the back-and-forth battle captivated the crowd until the final game-decisive drive that swelled the excitement and anticipation. Spectators left with a buzz of excitement and an understanding that these men are not grasping to relive the glory days, but that for some the glory days don't have to end. "It feels like a high school rivalry," Chris Foy said. "You have that old school rivalry and it almost seemed like that, and it was just the first game we played. There's going to be a lot to come." To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.

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J.J. Kern is looking for a few good men with a bit of football talent.

Kern, a Wadena-Deer Creek High School and Central Lakes College graduate, is general manager and coach of the Brainerd Lumberjacks, an expansion football team in the Semi Professional Football League.

Kern and the Lumberjacks' organization will hold tryouts 11 a.m. Saturday at Anytime Fitness in Baxter. Participants are asked to bring tennis shoes and workout apparel.

"We're looking for players to try out," said Kern. "We need to fill a 40-man roster. We have 15 former high school and Central Lakes College players signed up right now.

"We're also looking for people interested in running a scoreboard and clock or to help in any way they can."

Players must be 18 and older. Kern said past football experience is a plus, but isn't required. The team is looking to fill all positions.

The Lumberjacks will play in an eight-team league with franchises in Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Hinckley, Monticello, Minneapolis and Willmar. The team will play an eight-game schedule with home games Saturday nights at Franklin Art Center. The schedule is not finalized, but will be soon.

"The level of play will be junior college and better," said Kern. "We have eight or nine players now who played at CLC. Players should be in good shape for this league."

Robert Davis is director of new-team development for the SPFL. He said the team will play three or four home games between May and July. Games will be on Saturdays and players would practice once a week, depending upon their availability.

Admission to games will be $5 to make sure the cost is "family friendly."

Players are not paid and are expected to pay for their own equipment, which Kern said would be around $200. Players can use their own equipment as long as it passes the league's safety inspection and the helmet can be resurfaced in team colors.

Kern said there are two divisions with eight teams in each. He said this division is looking to expand to 16 teams.

For more information players may contact Kern (218) 831-1400 or Davis at (320) 293-8263 or (320) 256-2333.

JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.