Oct 1, 2022

Sabres Rattling

A slow start to the raucous night flipped quickly when Sartell got the ball back at the 29. Senior quarterback Cole Hentges lead the Sabres offense to the 27 and finished with the first big play of game, a keeper that got them up 8 - 0.

The second play of Moorhead's next possession kept the tide turning toward the upstarts from the down the highway as Dominic Larson picked off Gavin Quade's attempt. The Spud's defense bowed-up to force a punt just inside the second quarter but then Hentges got the ball back via a punt as well.

Starting with a short field Sartell was either going to add to their lead or turn it over on downs. A completion to Parker Knutson got them 10 yards closer, then came a run to the eight before they were forced into a fourth down. Through good route running or a blown coverage Andred Tavale found himself wide open in the end zone & the senior didn't miss his mate. Following another success 2-point they were up 16 - 0 with more than six minutes left in the half.

A pair of punts preceded Moorhead getting the ball back with time winding down and 84 yards between them and the goal. Five good plays in a row got the Spuds beyond midfield and into range for a couple Hail Mary's. The first landed harmlessly on the turf while the second was clutched by Hentges, who then ran the clock out with the victory formation.

Moorhead was far from ready to concede the contest and showed as much with the opening drive of the third quarter. Two hand-offs to Karson Wendt, the second of which went from the 48, was all it took to cut into the lead. They kept it rolling with a fumble recovery a few plays later, with Wendt cashing in on the short-field opportunity to make it a four point game.

Sartell saw those plays and raised them with a seven & a half minute long drive from the 20 to the end zone, with Parker Knutson getting the score through air, 22 - 12.

After a kick return to mid-field Moorhead got to the 15 and were feet from another score as Quade hit Owen Thielges just beyond the line to force a field goal attempt. The Sabres cut through the line to deflect the attempt, falling on it back at the 35.

They used the opportunity to choke the clock down below 2:30 with another score to Andrew Tavale. Moorhead was then forced to hope for some magic but Knutson put the game away with the second interception of the game.