Photo by Deb Finseth
Fillmore Central (2-0, 2-0) needed a clutch fourth quarter drive to tie the score versus Faribault B.A. (2-0, 2-0). The Falcons then took advantage of a turnover to post an overtime win over the Cardinals in a re-match of last year’s 1A title game. Midway through the fourth, the Cardinal defense stopped FC at the 1-yard line. B.A. running back Derrick Sando then ripped off a 99-yard TD run to break a 14-14 tie and put B.A. up 20-14. But FC immediately replied with an all rushing, six-play, 54-yard series. Jacob Mandelko scored from 4 yards out to tie the game 20-20. The ensuing PAT was blocked. FC reached B.A.’s 24 on its next drive late in the game, but a fourth and 11 interception ended the drive. In OT, B.A. got first crack. On 2nd and 4 from the four, a bad snap was recovered near midfield by the Falcons. FC then faced 3rd 10 from the 11, but got a 10-yard Kyle Daniels run. On fourth and goal from the one, Mandelko scored the game-winning TD. Chris Mensink’s group toughed out a 26-20 overtime win. A week after ripping Blooming Prairie thru the air, FC ran for 304 yards versus B.A. Jayce Kiehne (8-75 rushing, 4-93, TD receiving) racked up over 150 yards total offense. Daniels (21-142 rushing) and Mandelko (10-55, 3 TDs rushing) did work out of the backfield. Chase Christianson (6 of 12, 139 yards, TD, 2 INTs) did the passing. Sando (10-122, TD rushing, 4-46 receiving), Viland (15 of 28, 179 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs passing) and Hudson Dillon (7-79, 2 TDs receiving) led B.A. Each team scored 14 second quarter points, had three turnovers, and was stopped or failed three times in the red zone (in regulation). FC out-gained B.A. 443 to 280. The #3 Falcons (3-0, 3-0), #7 Goodhue (3-0, 3-0) and Kenyon-Wanamingo (3-0, 3-0) are the MSE-East unbeatens. The Falcons lead their five-team sub-division by two games, as only W-K (1-2, 1-2) and L-A (1-2, 1-2) have wins. R-P and Cotter are each 0-3.