BERLIN - The Mayville Cardinals picked up a big win in Berlin Friday night, snapping a two-game losing streak with a 26-15 win to begin ECFC Lakes play on a positive note.
The Cardinals were successful on both sides of the ball as they shut down the sixth-ranked team in Division 3.
"Our intention was to start the conference season 1-0," Mayville coach Steve Brickson said. "We lost a couple of close ones and they burned, they really hurt. We weren't about to let that happen again."
Berlin (3-1, 0-1 in Lakes) came in averaging 40 points a game, but the Cards shut down the Indians' running game. Mayville allowed just 54 yards on the ground and 150 total for the game. While the Indians scored two touchdowns, one came on a punt return and the other came on a short field after an interception.
"We really shut down their running game and no one's been able to do that so far this year," Brickson said. "If we can play that kind of defense the rest of the year we are going to be in good shape."
The Cards' offense clicked as well, although more so in the first half as Mayville took a 19-7 lead.
Ben Vorlob started the fireworks with a 51-yard touchdown run six minutes into the game. Sophomore quarterback Matt Haass then added a 10-yard scoring scamper midway through the second quarter.
Haass' interception then led to a Craig Chikowski 6-yard touchdown pass from Andy Reitz, but Haass redeemed himself later in the quarter.
Haass found Eric Schwartzmiller open with 28 seconds to go before halftime with a 6-yard scoring strike.
Berlin cut its deficit to 19-15 with Brian Mattice's 70-yard punt return in the third quarter, but the Cards responded with a killer drive that chewed up tons of clock and resulted in Brett Muche's 2-yard touchdown with 1:13 left in the game.
"Our offensive line had complete determination and nobody was willing to let this one slip through our fingers," Brickson said.
Vorlob finished with 117 yards on 13 carries while Sean Schuelke added 76 yards on 15 handles for the Cardinals, who travel to Waupun on Friday.
Mayville 26, Berlin 15
Mayville 7 12 0 7 - 26
Berlin 0 7 8 0 - 15
Scoring
Mayville - Vorlob 51 run (Moyle kick) 6:02
Mayville - M. Haass 10 run (kick failed) 6:20
Berlin - Chikowski 6 pass from Reitz (Johannes) 2:26
Mayville - Schwartzmiller 6 pass from M. Haass (run failed) :28
Berlin - Mattice 70 punt return (Chikowski pass from Reitz) 10:13
Mayville - Muche 2 run (Moyle kick) 1:13
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: May 13, Bln 10;
Rushing (Att.-Yds): May 52-235; Bln 25-54;
Passing yards: May 58, Bln 96;
Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int): May 7-13-1, Bln 12-29-0;>br>
Fumbles-Lost: May 3-0, Bln 0-0;
Penalties-yards: May 7-52, Bln 11-103;
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing: M - Vorlob 13-117, Schuelke 15-76; B - Mattice 6-30. Passing: M - M. Haass 7-13-1, 58; B - Reitz 12-29-0, 96. Receiving: M - A. Haass 2-23; B - Chikowski 9-94.
