Cover image from mnhshp.com It was another dominating performance by the Caledonia Warriors in the 2A state quarterfinals Saturday night. On a cold, snowy night, the Warriors took a 20-0 lead after one quarter, and for all intents and…
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It was another dominating performance by the Caledonia Warriors in the 2A state quarterfinals Saturday night. On a cold, snowy night, the Warriors took a 20-0 lead after one quarter, and for all intents and purposes, the victory was no longer in doubt. Here are some of the individuals who stood out in Caledonia’s 41-0 victory over New Richland-H-E-G.
In my eyes, two Warriors stood out above all others. They are likely not unfamiliar names – at least last names – if you have been following Warriors’ football.
At linebacker, Nick McCabe was in the backfield early and dropped the running back for a loss. Then he shot a gap and blew up a running play before it could get going. He disrupted another play by forcing the quarterback to belly out deeper into the backfield than he wanted – allowing teammates to make the play. 33 ran down a sweep from his inside linebacker position and registered a tackle for loss.
As a running back, McCabe has quick feet. He made multiple cuts on an early run to pick up nine yards off tackle. He has good hands too, right before the end of the first half, facing a third and ten from the 11-yard line, he caught a pass in the flat and was boxed in. Instead of going out of bounds to stop the clock he shook off three tacklers on his way to the end zone.
The only Warriors’ player who might have been more impressive than McCabe was quarterback Noah King – younger brother of Owen who was the quarterback through much of the program’s long winning streak. King is a multiple threat who can run and pass. On a fourth and one, he ran behind tackle Brady Rosendahl to not only get the first down, but also the touchdown. On 3rd and long, King connected with Eli King on a deep post route for a first down. Again on third and long, he hit Evan Denstad on a crossing pattern for a first down late in the first half, setting up a touchdown.
McCabe and King were assisted by an offensive line that dominated the front seven of New Richland. Mick Bulleman, Arick Bauer, Rosendahl, Aiden Augedahl and Isaiah Forrester had nearly perfect pass protection all night. Most impressive was Rosendahl. He has excellent size and has good feet in pass protection.
Donnie Lakey caught a pass in the flat. He cut up the field and broke multiple tackles.
Tate Meiners caught a 36-yard touchdown down the sidelines. He made a physical block on the outside during a wide receiver screen.
Kyle Cavanaugh contributed in all three phases of the game. He started with a catch in the flat. After the catch, he made a nice cut to get upfield for ten yards. Then, he caught a punt on the run. With a full head of steam, he cut and picked up 20-yards on the return. On defense, two times in the space of a couple of plays, Cavanaugh came up strong on the outside and made a tackle in space.
Defensive end Dylan Felten is a good pass rusher who got an early sack. Later, with good coverage downfield, Felten combined with Cavanaugh for another sack.
Meiners picked off a pass and added a 15-yard return. He was solid in coverage all game and was physical in the run game.
Early in the game, Peyton Schott scooped up a fumble and scored a touchdown from 31 yards out. Along with Tyler Wiebke, Meiners, Jack Beardmore and Riley Gavin they had good coverage all night in the defensive backfield.
New Richland tried to throw deep on Beardmore. He was step for step with the receiver and broke up the pass, Noah King came over from a safety spot to support. Beardmore added an interception late in the game.
