Photo by Paul Trende
Kingsland football honored the tragic passing of would-be senior teammate Nathaniel Drees just days before fall practice began, with a season-opening win over Faribault B.A. In a game that was preceded by a tribute to Drees, with a lightening delay, and with a final score of 48-8 Kingsland, Matt Kolling’s group did not make it completely academic until a massive fourth quarter. Team double-K got a 1-yard Bently Wiersma TD run and a 2-yard KD Reiland TD plus two Riley Warren PAT’s to lead 14-0 at the half. After the double break (lightening and halftime), the Cardinals second half kick-off bounced off a Knight and was recovered by B.A. Three plays later, B.A. senior QB Hayden Dillon scampered in from 25-yards out. With conversion run, the Cardinals closed to down 14-8. But the Knights immediately replied, going 63 yards in four plays, Wiersma scoring from 15-yards out. Warren added the PAT making it 21-8 which held until the fourth. The Knights then piled on. Wiersma scored a third TD (7-yard run) to make it 27-8. After a 43-yard Trent Aarsvold punt return, Colin Stuart hit Riley Treat on a 25-yard TD pass. With conversion, the lead grew to 35-8. Warren then added a 35-yard TD run and Lennon Falck a 26-yard fumble return TD for the 48-8 final score. Wiersma, younger brother of Beau Wiersma, the Knights main running back during their 2023 state season, ran for 150 yards on 19 carries with three scores. He added five receptions for 36 yards. Stuart (10 of 14, 121 yards, TD passing; 6-24 rushing, conversion rushing), Treat (2-49, TD receiving), Reiland (4-23, TD rushing; 2-18 receiving), and Aarsvold (4-38 rushing, 18-yard reception) helped on offense. Wiersma and Reiland keyed the defense as each recorded double-digits tackles. Wiersma was credited with two sacks. Kingsland is 1-0 in the South-East and overall.
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