Swifts defeat Tigers, 71-58

The Nazareth Swifts beat the Groom Tigers in a highscoring game this past Friday, 71-58.

In the first quarter, Groom put points on the board with a 66-yard return, to take the lead, 6-0.

Nazareth answered with a Luke Schulte 44-yard rush and touchdown to tie the score, 6-6.

The Tigers came back with a touchdown on a 29-yard rush and extra points, to again take the lead, 12-6.

Swifts Sterl Welps made a 1-yard rush, with extra points from Brett Heitschmidt, to end the quarter with the teams tied 14-14.

Nazareth pushed out ahead in the second quarter with a 70-yard rush and touchdown by Luke Schulte, putting the Swifts in the lead 20-14. The Tigers came back with a touchdown on a 21-yard pass, to tie the score 20-20.

Schulte scored again on an 8-yard rush, pushing the Swifts into the lead 26-20. Will Young followed up with a touchdown on a 50-yard pass from Schulte, to widen the Naz lead to 32-20. Groom came in with a touchdown on a 35-yard rush, to narrow the Swifts’ lead to 32-26 at the end of the first half.

The battle continued into the third quarter between the two teams. Schulte scored a touchdown on a 6-yard rush, with Tanner Birkenfeld scoring on a 3-yard pass from Sterl Welps for the extra point, widening the lead to 39-26.

Groom scored on an 8yard pass and gained extra points, closing the Naz lead to 39-34.

Schulte rolled through on a 39-yard rush for a touchdown, widening the lead to 45-34.

Groom narrowed the lead gap on a 1-yard rush and extra points, closing the third quarter out with Naz leading 45-42.

The Swifts’ offense went to work, with Will Young scoring three touchdowns on a 4-yard rush, a 38-yard rush and a 34-yard rush, pushing Naz out ahead 63-42.

Groom scored on a 5-yard rush and extra points,63-50.

Swifts’ Young was put back into action, scoring on a 24-yard rush and extra points by Brett Heitschmidt, 71-50.

Groom came in the last touchdown of the night on a 16-yard pass and extra points, but the victory went to the Nazareth squad, 71-58.

Nazareth came in with 21 first downs, 39 rushes for 460 yards, four passing/receptions for 100 yards, three penalties for 21 yards, and 34 tackles.

Swifts passing leader was Luke Schulte with three completions for seven attempts for 95 yards and one touchdown; followed by Will Young with one completion of three attempts for 5 yards.

Top receivers were Will Young with one reception for 50 yards and one touchdown; Kayle Rogers, one reception for 23 yards; Brett Heitschmidt, one reception for 22 yards; and Sterl Welps, one reception for 5 yards.

Top rushers were Luke Schulte with 23 for 304 yards; Will Young, nine for 132 yards; and Sterl Welps, seven for 24 yards.

Defensive leaders were Tanner Birkenfeld with 11 tackles; Tell Bagley, 5.5 tackles; Sterl Welps, 5.5 tackles; Luke Schulte, five tackles; Brett Heitschmidt, 3.5 tackles; Will Young, two tackles; Caysen High, one tackle; and Kayle Rogers, 0.5 tackles.

The Swifts will face Valley at the next home game on Sept. 16.