Cowboys improve to 13-0 in back-and-forth game
by Bryan Zollman, Let’s Play Football
David Erlandson capped off a 14-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to lift Breckenridge past Murray County Central 28-21 and into the Class A Prep Bowl where they will face 3-time defending champion Minneota.
It was Erlandson’s third touchdown of the game capping off a 127-yard performance in a game that truly was back-and-forth.
Breckenridge opened the scoring in the first quarter when Charlie Kratcha scored on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Riley Kappas. Charlie Eggiman kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
The teams traded scored after that.
Murray County Central’s Carson Lewis scored on a 37-yard run and after an Aubin Licht extra point, tied the game 7-7.
Breckenridge answered when Erlandson scored his second TD of the game, this one from a yard out. But Murray County Central responded six minutes later when Jordan Sturges scored on a 4-yard run and an extra point made it a 14-14 score. It looked like it would stay that way until halftime, but Breckenridge drove downfield in the final minute for a 21-14 lead. Erlandson broke free for a 38-yard gain to get into MCC territory. Kappes connected with Levi Christensen on passes of seven and 11 yards to get them deep and Erlandson capped off the drive with his second score of the game.
After both teams changed possessions to start the second half, Murray County Central put together a 17-play, six-minute drive to tie the score 21-21. They used a plethora of running backs to march down the field with Lewis, Jordan Turges, Teague Meyer, Gabriel Tentinger, Noah Frisk and Lucas Kuball all had carries capped off by Lewis scoring from three yards out.
Murray County Central’s Jordan Sturges evades a slew of Breckenridge defenders in the Class A semifinals where Breckenridge advanced after a 28-21 win. (Jim Rosvold / MSHSL)It looked as though Murray County would take the lead early in the fourth when they drove downfield once again, but the Breckenridge defense made a huge stop on 4th and 2 from the 4-yard line. Breckenridge took over on downs from their own 9-yard line and drove 91 yards on 13 plays in just over five minutes to take a 28-21 lead. They converted on two third-and-short plays and Gabe Armitage had a huge 15-yard run from the 19 down to the four to set up Erlandson’s third TD of the game. Another Eggiman kick made it 28-21.
Murray County Central had a final chance to tie the game with 1:43 left, but Breckenridge’s Kai McDonald made a big tackle for a loss to set up a 4rd and 17. After an incomplete pass, MCC QB Teague Meyer hit Frisk who got 12 yards before he was brought down, forcing a urnover on downs and ensuring Breckenridge’s win and entry into the Class A Prep Bowl where they will take on three-time defending champion Minneota.
Murray County Central finished their season 9-3. They gained 273 yards on the ground and were led by Lewis’ 105 yards on 16 carries and Sturges’ 98 yards on 15 carries.
Breckenridge, coming off consecutive 5-5 seasons, improved to 13-0. Erlandson finished with 127 yards on 23 carries and three scores. Kappes was 7-for-10 passing for 90 yards and a TD. Christensen led all receivers with four catches and 49 yards.
The Cowboys will take on Minneota for the Class A title Friday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m.
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