Andrean takes advantage of miscues in win over Munster

MUNSTER — In the end, Andrean’s 27-13 victory over Munster may have come down to a couple of bad snaps. The 59ers twice recovered errant shotgun snaps deep in Mustangs territory, leading to two of Mason Zurek’s four touchdown runs.

“Two turnovers led to two scores,” said Munster coach Leroy Marsh. “In a game like this, you can’t turn the ball over inside your 20-yard line against a good football team. And Andrean is a good football team.”

Munster’s first turnover came with the score tied at 7-7 in the second quarter and gave Andrean (4-0, 1-0) the ball at the Mustangs’ 18 yard line. A few plays later, Zurek scored on a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line to give the 59ers the lead.

Munster’s second turnover came in the third quarter with the Mustangs down by just one touchdown. The snap from center sailed over quarterback Mark Strbjak’s head and was recovered by Andrean at the Mustang 2-yard line. Two plays later, Zurek scored on a 1-yard plunge.

“Our offensive line and fullbacks opened up huge holes against a great defense,” said Zurek. “But we need to get flagged less and make less mental mistakes.”

Munster (1-3, 1-1) got on the scoreboard first when Strbjak scored on a 1-yard run on the Mustangs’ first possession. Munster needed only six plays to drive 30 yards after Andrean shanked a punt, leaving the Mustangs with great field position.

But the 59ers responded with a tying touchdown in just five plays of their own. Zurek delivered the most exciting play of the drive, and of the night, when he took a pitch to the left sideline, cut back against the grain all the way back to the right sideline, and ended up spinning his way toward the goal line in the center of the field. Zurek finished the drive with a 1-yard run for the score.

Zurek also scored on a 63-yard run in the third quarter and Strbjak connected with Oliver Sutter on a 74-yard scoring pass for Munster’s other score. Zurek finished with 163 rushing yards, while the 59ers defense held the Mustangs to 126 yards of total offense.

“Our defense is great — I won’t shy away from that remark,” said Andrean coach Phil Mason. “Our offense can be great at times, too, but I think we might get out ahead of our quarterback some and we might need to pull things back a bit.”

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