Rebels pound FBA in first round
Published 12:11 am Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Southland quarterback Jacob Frodl runs for a first down off of a keeper late in the game against Faribault Bethlehem Academy. - Matt Peterson/matt.peterson@austindailyherald.com
ADAMS — The Southland Rebels stuck strictly to fundamental football as they dismantled the Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinals 42-13 in the first round of the Section 1A football tournament Tuesday night in Adams.
According to Rebels head coach Shawn Kennedy, the game plan was “really just the basics.”
The Rebels' Mike Goergen stiff arms a would-be tackler on his way to a 10-yard gain in the third quarter Tuesday night in Adams. Goergen eventually scored on the drive off of a 2-yard run, one of his three scores on the night. - Matt Peterson/matt.peterson@austindailyherald.com
He added, “I think that’s something we’ve prided ourselves on all year long.”
The game opened with a couple of defensive stands by each team, until Southland drove deep into the red zone and scored off of a 23-yard field goal by Lee DeHoogh to make it 3-0 midway through the first quarter. The Rebels (7-2 overall) were relentless against the run and forced several three-and-outs before closing the first quarter at 3-0.
“This is probably one of the most physical defensive teams I’ve ever coached,” Kennedy said about this year’s squad.
The Rebels’ ultra-balanced running attack, which features four backs, steadily picked up and opened the passing game for a 61 yard hook-up from quarterback Jacob Frodl to running back Mike Goergen — the first play of the second quarter.
The Rebels continued to spread the ball around on the ground, Tyler Kressin busted a run up the middle for a 45-yard touchdown, and Goergen scored again on a 15-yard touchdown reception to make it 22-0 at the half.
“It does help that we have a lot of running backs, just to keep everyone fresh, going strong throughout the game,” Goergen said, and added that the hard-hitting conference they play in only lends to their toughness.
Southland's Tyler Kressin blasts through a hole in the middle of the field Tuesday night in Adams. Kressin ran for a 45-yard touchdown on the play. - Matt Peterson/matt.peterson@austindailyherald.com
Kennedy said the multi-running back approach has been working in the teams favor, especially with strong offensive line play.
“You can’t just key one running back on our team because we’ve got so many good ones,” he said.
The Rebels rushed for a total of 259 yards, despite none of their backs individually topping the 90-yard mark.
The Rebels continued to play solid defense, as they only allowed the Cardinals to convert five first downs all night. Southland’s defensive play was highlighted by two interceptions by linebacker Ben Wolterman and three sacks by lineman Drew Loecher.
Southland’s ground game never let up. Running back Nick Schmitz scored off of a 31 yard run to make it 28-0 with 5:28 to go in the third. Shortly after, Goergen saw the end zone for his third time on the night after a two-yard run, which made it 35-0.
Throughout the second half, Faribault couldn’t seem to get out of its own way, as it struggled to gain field position and saw several punts blocked or pushed back by the wind.
After another Schmitz touchdown run of seven yards with 6:18 left in the fourth, the Rebels went up 42-0.
A 66-yard passing strike with 3:44 left in the fourth put Faribault on the board, and the Cardinals struck once more on a 49-yard strike as time expired.
Southland advanced to the next round. The Rebels will travel to Harmony 7 p.m. Saturday to take on the Fillmore Central Falcons.
