Rivalry Week: Luverne vs. Pipestone Area
Jake Evans
Friday will mark the 62nd meeting of the rivalry, ’The Battle Axe’ between the Luverne Cardinals and Pipestone Arrows. With the two schools being only 30 minutes away from each other, both teams bring in such big crowds that no one outside the rivalry will know who the home team is. Luverne leads the all-time series at 32-28, Pipestone currently has possession of the Axe. Both teams seem to have pretty good squads going into Friday night. The Cardinals currently have a 1-1 record on the year while the Arrows are 2-0, both teams having impressive victories on the year.
Pipestone Area’s Head Coach Clay Anderson enters his 5th year in the rivalry, sits 3-1 in the series. Anderson has had 3 winning seasons and two Prep Bowl appearances in his tenure for the Arrows. Even though Anderson is newer to the area, he still understands a high school football rivalry and how to prepare his team.
Pipestone coach Clay Anderson watches his team play Friday in the Class AA championship against Caledonia at TCF Bank Stadium. — Jesse Trelstad/Worthington Daily Globe
Luverne’s Head Coach Todd Oye enters his 17th year in this game, holds a 10-6 record in the series. Oye had had at least 13 winning seasons while coaching the Cardinals and three Prep bowl appearances. He holds the second longest winning streak in this rivalry game.
Players Highlighted from Pipestone Area:
2020
Running Back/Defensive Lineman- Jason Steenstra has big play ability and has the strength and speed to take over a game.
Running Back/Linebacker- Eric Lange brings a good deal of physicality to the table also can surprise you with some speed.
Players Highlighted from Luverne:
2021
Running Back- LaShad Smith is really shifty, finds his way into open space and has good break away speed
Center/Defensive Tackle-
Zach Ahrendt
Zach
Ahrendt
OL
Luverne | 2021
State
MN
has a lot of size and power to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
