One Point Decides Epic Section Title Game

It was a splendid contest. Two teams, Co-District champs, battling for that moment of high school immortality, going to state. Davin Thompson and Chris Mensink sent their boys into battle. One-point was the difference. One team proudly moved on. Another, dejected, has nothing to be ashamed of. Ninth-ranked Rushford-Peterson (1-seed, 9-1) and fifth-ranked Fillmore Central (2-seed, 9-1) played the closest of contests for the Section 1A football title. The teams exchanged first quarter turnovers. R-P capitalized on an FC fumble in their own territory. A Landon Skalet 26-yard pass to Noah Carlson helped set up a Carlson 7-yard sweep-right TD (7-0 RP). After an FC three-and-out, R-P again methodically moved the ball. It would be the most often way each team made headway. An eight play drive survived a second and 17, then a second and 15; a Skalet 38-yard TD pass to junior TE Jake Paulson to put R-P up 14-0. A year ago, Goodhue took it to FC in the same spot (29-0). This year’s Falcons are different. They responded differently to a big hole. Sam Peters returned the ensuing kick-off 58-yards, helping instigate a 9-play, 31-yard drive. Brother Josh Peters capped it with a stretching 2-yard TD making it 14-7 Trojans. The Falcons then got a three-and-out. They took over late in the half (2:43). They seemed stopped on 4th and 10 from the RP 44, but a Sam Peters to Nate Haugerud fake-punt pass netted 28 yards and new life in the waning seconds of the half (0:08). A play later, Riley Means threaded the needle to Haugerud in the end zone for the 16-yard TD pass. A botched PAT snap then allowed Means to find Cody Ristau for the 2-point conversion. And bam, after trailing 14-0, FC went to half up 15-14! The second stanza’s second play saw more FC momentum. Josh Peters sprinted 46-yards inside the R-P 20. But the football became dislodged amidst Landon Goree’s tackle. A referee was right there, calling it a fumble (Luke Rasmussen recovery). R-P took over. They went on an epic 18-play, 87-yard drive. Carlson had 16 carries (probably a record someplace). His last, a 2-yard scamper around end on 4th and goal, plus Skalet to Paulson pass, put R-P back ahead 22-15. FC’s ensuing drive, which traversed into the fourth quarter, was similarly impressive. The Falcons went 65 yards in 13-plays. They converted a pair of fourth downs, surviving third and 15 and third and 11 situations. Means had a completion and eight carries. A Brady Ristau 19-yard run to the nine set up a Means 9-yard TD run. FC was a PAT from very reliable Justin Ristau away from a tie-ball game, but R-P play-maker Jake Paulson blocked the extra point. With 6:54 left, R-P clung to a 22-21 lead. After surrendering a first down, the Falcons got a stop. They took over at their own 34 (3:32). Seven plays later, from the R-P 29, they had the ball second and three (0:49). With J-Ristau having a good leg, a first down and a bit more could’ve set up a potential game-winning field goal attempt. The Falcons own two wins over Goodhue the past two years because of the strong-legged lineman’s field goals. The yards didn’t come. Two passes, the second a (moderately tough) catchable ball that would’ve resulted in said first down near the 16, fell incomplete. On 4th down, Trojan defensive end Preston Lecy was left unblocked. His tackle of B-Ristau for a loss clinched it. R-P secured its first football state tournament berth since 2008 courtesy of a 22-21 win! Its R-P’s first trip under Davin Thompson. He’s been an assistant for multiple runs and, as a senior, played on R-P football and basketball teams that each made state. Running back Noah Carlson led the way. He didn’t have a Carlson game. FC’s defense held him to a season low in rushing yards. He still had a season-high 36 carries for 117 yards and 2 TDs. He went over 2,000 rushing yards for the season and has 31 rushing TDs. Sophomore QB Landon Skalet continued his precise work, going 6 of 8 for 111 yards, a TD, and an interception. Paulson (2-52, TD, two-pointers) was his top receiver, whilst authoring a fumble recovery and the huge blocked PAT. FC senior QB Riley Means (7-12, 63, TD, 2-pointer passing, 22-118, TD rushing, double digit tackles) did what he’s done all year, leading his Falcons on both sides of the ball. J-Peters (8-67, TD), S-Peters (1-1, 28 yards passing, 56-yard KOR), and Nate Haugered (4-57, TD receiving) were FC’s other big play-makers. R-P won the turnover-margin 2 to 1. They’ve won said margin every game this year. First downs (RP 14, FC 15) and total plays were near identical (RP 49, FC 53). Yardage (313 to 229) was in FC’s favor. Penalties favored the Trojans (FC 6-for-65, RP 2-for 10). The big what-if for the Falcons? What if stand-out senior WR Sam Rustad (torn ACL) were healthy to stretch the field? FC’s season ends at 9-2. It’s their second straight 1A runner-up finish. A tremendous group of seniors went 18-4 the past two seasons, equaling the top two-year run in FC history. R-P will play Murray County Central (3-seed from Section 3A, 8-3) in New Prague in the state quarters.