Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton defeats Albany in the Class AAA State Tournament Quarterfinal
By: Jackson Boline
DGF’s quarterback Caleb Johnson checking the defense pre-snap.Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton lost in the 2022 Class AAA State Championship game, tonight they took the next step to get back and finish the job after a 33-6 win over Albany in the Class AAA State Tournament Quarterfinal game.
In a run-heavy, and quick first quarter, the Rebels and Huskies failed to find the endzone, but after another turnover on downs, DGF had the ball at Albany’s 35-yard line. The Rebels put together an eight-minute long drive ending with a Brody Friend rushing touchdown, giving DGF a 7-0 lead.
The Rebels were able to get the ball back, again a ways back of midfield, and with just over 40 seconds left in the half. Sophomore quarterback Caleb Johnson was able to lead his team down the field for another touchdown with just three seconds left in the half, giving the Rebels a crucial 14-0 lead heading into halftime.
“We’ve got a quarterback (Caleb Johnson) who was QB of the district; we run a lot but when the defense cheats a little he can air it out. That touchdown to end the half was huge for us, to score with three seconds left was big for momentum,” said Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton’s head coach Anthony Soderberg.
Right away in the third quarter, the Rebels’ ground game prevailed as this time it was Nicholas Waale who found his way past Huskie defenders and into the endzone, taking a 20-0 lead. A combination of impeccable defense and a grueling run game made it hard for Albany to make another comeback.
“Their defense is very good, their D-line is very good but it was their inside linebackers who shutdown runs and came out of nowhere. Their secondary was also great, they were making great open-field tackles, they’re a very well-coached team,” said Albany’s head coach Mike Ellingson.
The Rebels’ defense stuffed Albany twice at the 10-yard line in the first half to keep the score 7-0.Albany came off a thrilling 20-point comeback win in the Section 6AAA championship game, knocking off reigning Class AAA Champion New London Spicer 27-26.
The Huskies found the endzone late in the fourth quarter after a leaping touchdown catch by Hunter Hamann thrown by quarterback Andrew Olsen, making the score 27-6.
With just under four minutes left in the game, DGF scored the daggering touchdown, as Bodey Devries had the game’s final score to seal the 33-6 victory. The Rebels get another chance to hoist a title in Minneapolis.
“The kids believe and know they can be there and go there and compete there. We’ve been there, we’ve been to the last two seconds of that, I know they’re pretty confident,” said Soderberg.
The Rebels have a date set inside the U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18. They will face the winner of Waseca versus Stewartville, who face off Saturday at Hastings High School.
