What a difference a year makes. Last year, the Maple Grove High School football team blanked Blaine 12-0 in a defensive struggle. In this year's confrontation, the teams combined for almost 1,000 yards in offense as Blaine held on to a 46-40 win at second-ranked Blaine last Friday.
The Crimson ended with a school-record 493 yards and Blaine finished with 422 yards. The junior combo of quarter-back Mitch Brecke and receiver Greg Martin both shattered schools marks. Brecke completed 12 of 23 passes for 367 yards and five touchdowns, both school records. Martin caught six passes for a record 221 yards and two touchdowns of 73 and 25 yards. Senior receiver Josh Laurent also had a busy night, catching five passes for 133 yards and two touch-downs of five and 63-yards. Tight end Bobby Usset joined in by catching a 13-yard TD pass.
The Crimson also had 126 yards rushing. Ryan Iskierka had 51, Ryan Holland 38 and Brecke 37.
"It was a record night for us," Maple Grove coach Craig Hansen said. "Offensively, we were firing on all cylinders. Our receivers ran great routes, the backs ran hard and Mitch threw the ball very well. He has worked hard to develop them and to be a student of the game. Greg does a tremendous job of running patterns. He gets off the line very quick, he is very deceptive and very precise. Josh Laurent also has taken a huge step forward. We are very fortunate to have two very good receivers. Our offensive line of Jon Brost, Mike Buckland, Drew Getchell, Dan Schoen, Scott Nowak and Bobby Usset just did a great job of pass protection and blocking."
As good as the Maple Grove's offense was, it was not quite enough as Blaine showcased an attack that the Crimson had no answers for. The Bengals led 31-20 at half-time and went ahead 46-26 with 5:30 to go. But it was not over.
Brecke hit Martin for a 73-yard TD and Maple Grove got the ball back. Brecke then tossed a 13-yard TD strike to Usset with 1:40 left.
But time ran out for the Crimson as Blaine held the ball until only two seconds left.
"It was just a great high school game," Hansen said. "The teams just kept trading punches all game long. We just kind of ran out of time. Our defense hung in there and kept competing against an excellent offense. Their quarterback is awfully good. We seemed to have him pinned down and he would get away and make good plays. Our players put everything they had even though the score may not show it. It wasn't for a lack of effort."
It was a tough loss but one the Crimson should gain from. After all, they went on the road and battled the state's second-ranked team touchdown for touchdown.
"I am so proud of our players," Hansen said. "Blaine is a great team and it's exciting to play them. I was glad to see our kids rose to the challenge and competed so well." The Crimson next visit Park Center Friday, Oct. 10.