When it comes to football, there is state, and then there is state. Winning section titles is always great, but playing in quarterfinal game in say, New Prague, isn’t nearly like the next step. Twenty-sixteen offers up a new reward to those who get the state quarterfinal win. They get a ground-level look at the new 1.08-billion dollar monstrosity that is U.S. Bank Stadium; S-T-A-T-E! On the home field of Trojans, led by N-O-A-H, a group of guys (naturally) wearing green clinched a trip to the “The Bank” slash “The Vault.”
Rushford-Peterson (Section 1 Champ, 10-1) did battle with Murray County Central of Slayton (Section 3A Champ, 8-3) in a state quarterfinal. The end score in no way spoke to how competitive things were for three and a half quarters. R-P struck on its first drive. Landon Skalet found Jake Paulson for a 48-yard pass play. Some kid named Noah Carlson finished off the drive with a 19-yard TD run giving the Trojans an early 6-0 lead. But Murray County can run the ball too. On their first drive, outside and inside hand-offs kept R-P’s defense off-balanced. The Rebels went 67 yards in 15 plays, the last a 2-yard sweeping TD run by Kellan Johnson. With PAT, MCC went ahead 7-6. R-P then took over and marched. Save for one Skalet to Paulson pass, it was all “some kid.” Carlson had ten carries for 58 yards, the last a 3-yard TD run putting R-P ahead 12-7. On MCC’s next series, after a 60-yard drive, the Trojan defense recorded the game’s first stop. R-P’s offense ended up punting to near midfield. MCC looked stopped late in the half (4th and 9 at the 25). But Brady (Kremer) hit Brady (Woldt) for 17-yard completion to the R-P eight. Two plays later (0:21.3), Kremer scrambled up the middle for a 9-yard TD run. The PAT was good, and, for the second straight game, an opponent scored just before the half sending the Trojans to the intermission trailing, 14-12. R-P had one phase of the game working (offense) and not the other two. They also hadn’t gotten a turnover. All that changed (except good offense) in the second 24 minutes.
The “D” forced a three-and-out right away. Luke Rasmussen blocked the ensuing punt. Set up in good field position (the MCC 41), ‘some kid’ fumbled two plays into the series. But MCC gave back. Carlson took back three plays later, forcing a fumble on a 20-yard Rebel pass completion, Damon Dau recovery. The next drive was again all Carlson, save for one Skalet to Paulson pass. Number-eight carried six times for 31 yards, the last a 3-yard TD run. R-P went back ahead 18-14. The defense then stonewalled MCC for a third time in the quarter. Skalet hit Rasmussen for 20 yards, then Paulson. The 6’1” 170-pound junior showed his basketball chops, snaring a catch in big commotion for a 15-yard TD. R-P built a 24-14 lead. The Rebels then rallied, marching 65 yards in 16 plays. Zach Aanenson’s 2-yard TD made it 24-21. It seemed “game on” with 7:54 left. But the senior Rasmussen then went on a big-play barrage. MCC kicked away from Carlson (deep), to the speedy 5’9” 150-pounder (short), and Luke took it 74-yards the other way to the house! Up 30-21, U.S. Bank began beckoning the Trojans. MCC then fumbled on their kick return, Rasmussen the recovery. R-P got a Skalet to Paulson 12-yard completion on 4th down to help set up Carlson’s fourth TD, a 5-yard run (+2 > 38-21). Rasmussen then authored an on-his-back interception (11th of the year). Five ‘some kid’ carries and 69 yards later, Carlson had his fifth TD (2-yard run). R-P, out-scoring MCC 32-7 in the second, prevailed 44-21. They earned a berth in the state semifinals!
There was a time when Carlson was just a big play maker on the periphery. That time is long gone. The 6’1” 180-pound senior fought forward time-and-time again between the tackles, thunder (fight and tenacity) more often his weapon than lightning (speed). In a state quarterfinal, Carlson notched career-highs in carries (39), yards (285 yards), and rushing TD’s (5). He channeled his inner Walter Payton, who ran brutally at just 5’10” 200 pounds. Only two of Carlson’s totes went for over 20 yards (both on the last drive). He earned his 7.3 yards per carry, taking all but one of R-P’s rushing attempts. Behind seniors Austin Brand (LT) and Jordy Markegard (LG) was the preferred direction. The whole group up front (C Ian Brown, RG Preston Lecy, RT Ethan Anderson, blocking RB’s Landon Goree, Carter Weidemann, and Dawson Dahl) rarely allowed him to get touched in the back-field. He had one negative run. He now has multiple rushing TDs in 17 straight games. He got help from the usual suspects. Skalet (6-10, 113 yards, TD passing) to handy-handed Paulson (5-93, TD receiving) again proved highly reliable. Skalet was 4-for-4 passing in the second half (three first downs, a TD, a 2-pointer). Rasmussen (74-yard KR TD, FR, INT) made plays. The Trojans stayed perfect for the season in the turnover battle, winning 3 to 1. MCC relied on Aanenson (23-126, TD rushing), Kremer (6-13, 76 yards, INT passing, 8-yard TD run), and Johnson (11-57, TD rushing). Up next for Davin Thompson’s crew is Browerville-Eagle Valley (9-3, Section 6A champion).
Leave a Reply