VIDEO: Trojans strike early to eliminate Blooming Prairie

Published 12:29 am Saturday, November 1, 2008

RUSHFORD — Blooming Prairie saw its state football playoff dreams vanish almost before they got started in a 32-0 loss to Rushford/Peterson Friday in the Section 1A title game.

After falling behind 6-0 on a first quarter 30-yard TD pass from Steven Koenen to Nick Leisen, BP seized momentum when Matt Zellmer picked off a Koenen pass in the end zone by jumping a slant route on second down and goal for the Trojans (9-2 overall).

But after BP drove 75 yards in 10 plays, disaster struck. Blossoms quarterback Austin Moe was sacked on a fourth and goal play from the five and R/P’s Brandon Weideman scooped up the ensuing fumble and ran it back 95 yards for a score down the sideline to make it 12-0 with 8:01 left in the first half.

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“That was a tough break,” BP head coach Chad Gimbel said. “They made a great play. There were no receivers open and the pass protection didn’t hold up. There was a swing in momentum.”

BP (8-2 overall) did not get closer than R/P’s 32-yard line the rest of the way as the Blossoms had five three-and-outs and three turnovers on the night.

“We came in with very high hopes. I give a lot of credit to Rushford. They beat us up front,” Gimbel said. “I asked their coach what he did to get them so fired up. That was not the team I’d seen on tape.”

No. 1 seeded R/P racked up seven sacks on defense and it kept Moe offbalanced all night.

“The biggest thing was Austin just didn’t have enough time to look downfield,” Gimbel said. “The guys were there. And how many times do you get hit before you start feeling pressure even when there isn’t any?”

Moe, who was 15-for-34 with 159 yards and an interception, had the wind knocked out of him twice during the loss.

“He’s a tough kid,” Gimbel said. “Thank God this isn’t boxing because one more time he would’ve been T.K.O’ed.”

The Trojans closed out the first half with 10 points in the last two and a half minutes to take a commanding 23-0 lead to the break.

First RP scored on a two play, 65 yard drive where a 39-yard catch by Logan Brand set up a 26-yard scoring run by Mark Agrimson. The Trojans got the ball back after an interception and drove 35 yards to set up a 27-yard field goal by Brand.

This is the second straight year BP has lost in the Section 1A final.

“Our guys gave it a 100 percent. They had heart and determination and it just didn’t work out. It kind of steamrolled on us early,” Gimbel said.

Rushford/Peterson will play Royalton in the first round of the State Tournament in Mounds View Thursday at 7 p.m.

BP STATS

Rushing: Jamie Willette, 4-for-33; Gabe Kartes, 3-for-22; Austin Moe, 22-for-9; Luc Zellmer 1-for-(-2)

Passing: Moe, 15-for-34, 159, INT, Matt Zellmer, 0-for-1, INT

Receiving: Matt Zellmer, 7-for-74; Cooper Nelson, 2-for-41; Justen Ingvalson, 3-for-24; Jamie Willette, 1-for-15; Josh Toquam, 1-for-6; Jeffery Doerhoefer, 1-for-(-1)

Interceptions: Zellmer (2)

Fumble recovery: Dan Willert

Penalties: 3-for-15

RP STATS

Rushing: Mark Agrimson, 14-for-83, 2 TD; Matt Agrimson, 18-for-76; Lucas Gravos, 5-for-33; Steven Koenen, 4-for-30; Justin Boyum, 5-for-7

Passing: Steven Koenen, 5-for-11, 102, TD, 2 INT

Receiving: Logan Brand, 1-for-39; Nick Leisen, 1-for-30, TD; Matt Agrimson, 2-for-25; Kasey Olloff, 1-for-8

Sacks: Logan Brand (2), Todd Vesterse

INT: Brandon Weideman, Vesterse

Fumble recoveries: Weideman

Penalties: 2-for-20

SCORING SUMMARY

BP 0 0 0 0 — 0

RP 6 17 0 9 — 32

First quarter

(RP) 7:59 Steve Koenen 30 pass to Nick Leisen (kick failed) 1 play, 30 yards

Second quarter

(RP) 8:01 Brandon Weideman 95 fumble recovery (kick failed) 1 play, 95 yards

(RP) 2:26 Mark Agrimson 26 run (Matt Agrimson run) 2 plays, 65 yards

(RP) :06 Logan Brand 27 field goal (6 plays, 35 yards)

Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter

(RP) 9:05 Mark Agrimson 1 run (Brand kick) 10 plays, 43 yards

(RP) 5:51 Moe sacked for safety