Week six provided another chance to face a reputable team that has done great things in the last decade.   On a cold, blustery night we took the field for a five o’clock game against a 4-1 Blaine team that had won four in a row and walked off with a convincing 50-0 victory.   It was a total team effort, and I was proud of the approach the kids took during a week following a big victory.   They are beginning to understand that the most important game we face is always the next because there is nothing better than the preparation it takes during the week to enter into every Friday night.

Our Special Teams did a great job all night and set the tone immediately as Isaac Collins took the opening kickoff 53 yards and put our offense in great field position against a very strong wind.   Tyler Knutson made all six of his extra point tries on a tough field in tough conditions, and our Kickoff team, Punt Team, and Punt Return teams did a great job securing field position all game.

For the first time this season, our offense was able to get some truly big plays this week, as we were able to accumulate 472 rushing yards for the game.  Our offensive line did a great job opening up holes for Clark Wieneke, who had 199 yards on 7 carries with two long touchdowns, Isaac Collins who gained 100 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown, Shaun Harrell with 83 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown, and Sophomore Ryan Hanscome, who debuted with 77 yards on 8 carries.   Also, the buzz around the field was the emergence of Offensive Guard/fullback Ben Shoults, and his first career touchdown run of 2 yards.   You could see all the joy in every kid as Ben got to the endzone.  Stripers across the community all united in joy!  All in all, the offense did a great job capitalizing against a team that had defensive success leading into our game, and provided a great spark for the team in tough conditions.

Once again our defense emerged as the lifeline of our team and played their third game where defensively they did not give up a point.   Making a huge goal line stop with the score 14-0, the defense allowed us to get a comfortable lead and they continue to understand the effort and fun it takes to be a great defense.  Chris Fondakowski continued his great season with 11 total tackles,  2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and a touchdown on  a fumble caused by Sam Franta.  Adam Brant had a great game with 12 tackles, Christian Ujhelyi had 9 tackles, Grant Hemze added 9 with a sack, and Isaac Collins had 9 tackles and an interception.  Also, the defensive line of Jack Dahl-Maglone, Kraig Urquhart, Kyle Anderson, Michael Rengel, and Ben Shoults did a great job controlling the line of scrimmage.  It truly is fun to see these guys develop and to know what our expectations on that side of the ball are.  They still need improvement, but they are heading the right direction and it’s awesome to see!

Next week, we have another big game that will create a lot more buzz as we take on the crosstown rivals, Osseo.  As always, they are a team blessed with a lot of talent, and is a team that is always in the top ten of our state.  That brings nothing but fun to ‘The Grove’ on next Friday night and we look forward to the atmosphere rocking again in the fashion it did a couple of weeks ago.  This game is a big one because it involves, parents, friends, community members and others familiar with each other going head to head for a single victory on a Friday night.  That makes it a fun environment with many story lines taking place throughout the stands.  But the real reason it’s a big game is we get a chance to win number seven against a good team that has won 3 in a row handily and has ability that the upper echelon teams have.   That gives us another chance to see what we are about as we get closer and closer to the real fun that begins in a couple of weeks.   We look forward to seeing everybody on Friday night for the big game and we want it rocking!  It’s another chance for our school and community to show how great of school we truly are, and another opportunity for our football team to keep getting better against a good opponent!  You can’t beat that!  See you Friday night and GO CRIMSON!....Lombo