What a strange weekend it was.  From start to finish, we were able to claim victory at Blaine in a game that took 16 hours of time to complete due to a major storm that halted our game after the third quarter on Friday night.  For the first time in my career we were asked to come back at 10 AM on Saturday morning and play the fourth quarter, and I was proud of the way our kids handled that adversity.  They walked in that stadium, continued their mission and walked out of there with a 55-21 victory over a Blaine team that was playing very well at the time.

Defensively, we keep improving and learning as our players are starting to realize the critical things that allow defenses to be great.  There is so much to learn on this side of the ball that it is fun to see them developing, imperfections and all.  By the time we hit the playoffs, this side will be leaders for us that will propel us to great things and they will get off of the field on third downs allowing our offense to flourish.  Jacob Wrbanek led our team with 12 total tackles, while Cedric Buchholz and Dylan Vokal both added 10.  Senior Ayden Gunville had a big game with 8 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a sack, while Junior Sam Hanson also had a sack and 8 tackles of his own,.   Senior Henry Stang keeps selflessly moving from position to position and it paid dividends as a he got an interception that sealed the deal in the fourth quarter.   These boys will keep getting better as they learn those little things that make a difference.   It will be fun to watch their growth going into next week.

Offensively, we set an all-time Crimson record for total yards in a game with 560, and Junior running back Chuck Langama enjoyed a record setting day of his own as well.   Behind a steadily improving offensive line, Chuck was able to carry the ball 26 times for 328 yards and a Crimson record setting 7 touchdowns passing our very own Freshman head coach, Ethan Magstadt, who had six in 2006.   It was fun to see the kids rally around Chuck as he neared the record as it truly was a team effort to get there.  Also, Dylan Vokal, Henry Stang, Ollie Clausen and James Engle did a great job running the ball as well as we were able to rush for 474 yards over the two day game.   Just like our defense, this is a young group that just keeps getting better and discovering its identity.   It's a group that can make a huge difference in games and is taking pride in being able to run the rock.   Let's keep getting better in this area because we need to keep improving week in and week out as we head toward the playoffs.

Our special teams was solid against Blaine as Henry Sievers made 7 of his 8 extra points, but our coverage teams on kickoff and our return teams need to keep improving.   There will be a game where a punt return, kickoff return, turnovers on kickoffs, etc... will be the key to the game and we have to be ready to capitalize.

Next week is homecoming for the Crimson, and it truly is a blast every year.  However, the culmination for the week happens at the football game we have this Friday against Coon Rapids.  It's where the alumni come back, fans of old come to the game, and the entire student body shows up expecting us to be at our best.  It is time to deliver for them.  It will take a great week of preparation and attention to detail so we can allow it to be a week that is truly memorable for all!  I am proud of this group, I challenge them weekly in ways to get better and they keep striving to do so.   Seeing a 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade group all have to come together as one has been fun because they truly are becoming a team and that's fun to watch.  Now it's time to play our best game next Friday night in front of our homecoming back in where things are always right, The Grove!   Go Crimson!  

Lombo