Week 1 Game Recaps
by Malik Mitchell
Each week Malik will highlight several games from the previous week
Minneota vs Adrian
The Minneota Vikings kicked off their season on Thursday, Sept. 1 against the Adrian Dragons at the Dragons’ home field. The Vikings secured their first victory beating the Dragons 38-6 scoring 20 of those points in the 4th quarter.
In the first quarter, Minneota was the only team to put points up on the board, kicking a field goal for a 3-0 lead. In the last minute of the second quarter, senior Breyer Hieronimus was able to put up six for the Dragons after rushing one in. They weren’t able to make the extra point. The Vikings struck back in the last seconds of the quarter after senior Isaac Pohlen threw a five-yard touchdown to junior Peyton Gillund to go up seven.
Minneota would come alive again in the third quarter after Zack Fier scored a 5-yard rushing TD and Gillund scored a two-point conversion for an 18-6 Vikings lead.
After a momentum shift from the third quarter, the Vikings scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth. Pohlen completed 12 passes out of 23 attempts for 182 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Senior Zack Fier would lead the Vikings backfield rushing for 101 yards for two touchdowns. Gillund snagged eight passes for 118 yards for one touchdown with an interception. On the defensive side, sophomore Parker Bradley led the Vikings with 18 total tackles with junior Alex Depestel coming in behind him with 8.
The Vikings will take Yellow Medicine East at home this Friday, Sep. 9 at 7:00 P.M.
Armstrong vs Waconia
Robbinsdale Armstrong secured their first win against the Waconia Wildcats on Thursday, Sept. 1. With a fast start and a strong finish, the Falcons were able to top the Wildcats 35-14.
In the first quarter, Armstrong got things rolling after junior Jamen Malone threw to Senior Marquan Tucker for a 98-yard touchdown. Malone returned in the second quarter, throwing touchdowns to senior Drew Kuempel and Tucker. The Falcons led the Wildcats 21-0 at halftime.
Waconia finally found some momentum in the third quarter with senior Max Mcenelly scoring two touchdowns making it 21-14. Robbinsdale replied with Malone throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass to Tucker. Senior Reggie Carter put the game away after pounding a 4-yard touchdown run.
Malone completed 12 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns with an interception. Carter had 20 carries for 85 yards and one touchdown. Tucker had seven receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Isaiah Cotton would lead the Falcons defense racking up 9 tackles. Senior Henry Smith trailed behind him with 8 tackles along with an interception.
The Falcons will face Irondale at home this Thursday, Sep. 8 at 6:00 p.m.
Lakeville South Vs Park of Cottage Grove
The reigning Class 6A Champions kicked off their season with a blowout win against Park of Cottage Grove. The Lakeville South Cougars defeated the Park of Cottage Grove Wolfpack 69-14 on Thursday, Sept. 1 at home.
The Wolfpack was first to put up points after sophomore Miskir Esayas connected with senior OT Omot for a 68-yard touchdown five minutes into the first quarter. That touchdown lit a match under the Cougars as they scored 32 unanswered points making it 32-7. In the second quarter, the Cougars tacked on 17 unanswered points making it 49-7 at half.
In the third quarter, Lakeville kept the momentum rolling, scoring three more touchdowns before junior Skyler Morgan put up points for the Wolfpack in the last minute of the quarter. That would be the last score to end the game 69-14.
For the Cougars, senior Jacob Royse threw for two touchdowns and senior Carson Hansen ran for 112 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Jay Winters rushed for two touchdowns. For the Wolfpack, Esayas completed 13 passes for 176 yards for 2 touchdowns. Omot caught two passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. On the defensive side, junior Brett Salmonson led in tackles with 16 total tackles and senior Alex Carr had 14.
The Lakeville South Cougars will take on Lakeville North Panthers this Friday, Sep. 9 at 7:00 P.M.
Eden Prairie vs East Ridge
The Eden Prairie Eagles started off their season with a 27-point win over the East Ridge Raptors. With a momentum shift, the Eagles topped the Raptors 34-7 on Thursday, Sept. 1 at home.
Eden Prairie’s Nick Fazi hit senior Jermell Taylor for a 16-yard touchdown. The Eagles followed up with Fazi hitting senior Michael Gross on a 19-yard touchdown making it 13-7 after missing the PAT. In the second quarter, Eden Prairie would score another touchdown before senior Jacob Schroeder received a 9-yard touchdown for the Raptors making it 20-7 at the half.
In the third quarter, senior Tyler Walden rushed for an 11-yard touchdown for the Eagles. Eden Prairie put the game away in the fourth after senior Connor Cole ran into the endzone making it 34-7.
For the Eagles, Fazi completed 12 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Walden led the backfield with 82 yards and a touchdown. In the air, Gross led with 116 yards and a touchdown.
Eden Prairie will face Farmington at home this Friday, Sep.9 at 7:00 P.M.