Packers hold off late run to top Albert Lea as Edgar scores 5 TDs

Published 12:35 am Saturday, September 6, 2014

Brandon Edgar is tries to break free from a group of Albert Lea defenders in Albert Lea Friday. Edgar ran for five TDs as the Packers won 42-41. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Brandon Edgar is tries to break free from a group of Albert Lea defenders in Albert Lea Friday. Edgar ran for five TDs as the Packers won 42-41. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

ALBERT LEA — The Austin and Albert Lea football teams may not meet each other again for a long time due to District scheduling next year, but Friday’s matchup had enough drama to keep the rivalry in everyone’s minds for years to come.

The game had plenty of offense, but it was a defensive play by a sophomore cornerback that gave the Packers a 42-41 win over the Tigers in Albert Lea.

Austin's Connor Sheehan brings down Albert Lea quarterback Jake Kilby in the first half in Albert Lea Friday. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Austin’s Connor Sheehan brings down Albert Lea quarterback Jake Kilby in the first half in Albert Lea Friday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Austin had led 42-28 going into the fourth quarter, but AL (0-2 overall, 0-2 Big Nine) dominated the final frame as it ran a total of 24 plays for 142 yards to score two TDs. The second TD came on a 3-yard run Chris Enderson with 57.2 seconds on the clock and AL didn’t hesitate to go for a two-point conversion.

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The Tigers ran a lead option for quarterback Jakob Kilby, who had 125 rushing yards and two TDs in the game, but he was stuffed by Connor Sheehan. Kilby then pitched to Parker Boyum, who was stopped by Jaidyn Erie, a sophomore, who had stayed at home on the edge to make the play.

“The receiver blocked me and it was an option play. I just read the play and made the tackle. I was really excited,” Erie said. “We were really confident before the play. The defense was pumped up and everyone was yelling.”

Austin’s offense dominated for the first three quarters, but once again, it was mostly on the ground. Brandon Edgar, a junior, racked up a career-high 155 rushing yards and a career-high five touchdowns to carry the bulk of the load for the Packers (1-1 overall, 1-1 Big Nine).

“The line blocked great and I felt pretty confident. We wore the defense out,” Edgar said.

Austin head coach Brett Vesel decided to ride Edgar when it was clear that AL was having trouble containing him. Edgar’s 34-yard TD run put the Packers up 42-28 with 21 seconds left in the third quarter.

Austin's Nick Baier brings down Albert Lea's Jake Kilby in Albert Lea Friday. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Austin’s Nick Baier brings down Albert Lea’s Jake Kilby in Albert Lea Friday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

“He ran like a mad man,” Vesel said. “If Nate Conner wasn’t our starting running back, we would’ve been good with Brandon Edgar last year. I probably could’ve ran Nate more tonight, but Brandon was getting so many good runs.”

Austin had a chance to ice the game when it was up 42-35, but the Packers went three-and-out after Nate Conner threw an incomplete pass on third and five with just a little over five minutes left in the game. Edgar said it was tough to sit back and watch the Tigers drive the length of the field with the game on the line.

“I knew the defense was a little tired. It was a nail biter for sure,” Edgar said. “Beating our rivals feels amazing.”

Austin’s defense struggled with AL’s triple-option offense throughout the night. The Tigers had just one pass completion for 28 yards, but they racked up 283 yards on the ground.

“It’s a new offense for us to see,” Vesel said. “That’s going to be to their advantage because nobody else runs it around here. I don’t’ think we did as good a job as we wanted to in preparing for it. It’s a good offense, especially when you’re not as prepared as you want to be.”

The Packers were tough on offense and their return game also played a big role in helping them score points. In the first half, Nate Conner and Sheehan each had long returns to set up Packer TDs.

“We spend a lot of times working on our special teams,” Vesel said. “I thought we could’ve scored on a couple of those returns if we would’ve done it a little better.”

SCORING SUMMARY

Austin 7 14 21 0 — 42

Albert Lea 7 14 7 14 — 41

First quarter

(AL) Jakob Kilby 12 run (Torres kick) (1 play, 12 yards) 10:42

(A) Brandon Edgar 1 run (Grinstead kick) (8 plays, 57 yards) 4:53

Second quarter

(AL) Tim Christianson 1 run (Torres kick) (12 plays, 62 yards) 11:57

(A) Edgar 1 run (Grinstead kick) (3 plays, 26 yards) 11:22

(A) Edgar 1 run (Grinstead kick) (3 plays, 13 yards) 9:12

(AL) Kilby 3 run (Torres kick) (6 plays, 60 yards) 6:48

Third quarter

(A) Nate Conner 4 run (Grinstead kick) (8 plays, 46 yards) 7:16

(A) Edgar 2 run (Grinstead kick) (1 play, 2 yards) 6:32

(AL) Christianson 1 run (Torres kick) (10 plays, 67 yards) 2:20

(A) Edgar 34 run (Grinstead run) (5 plays, 65 yards) :21

Fourth quarter

(AL) Christianson 2 run (Torres kick) (14 plays, 72 yards) 7:03

(AL) Chris Enderson 3 run (Torres kick) (10 plays, 70 yards) :57.2

AUSTIN STATS

Rushing: Brandon Edgar, 28-for-155, 5 TDs; Nate Conner, 10-for-67, TD; passing: Conner, 3-for-7, 48, INT; receiving: Jason Stoulil, 1-for-30; Zach Coffey, 1-for-11; Connor Sheehan, 1-for-7