Hard Work Pays Off: Coon Rapids vs. Spring Lake Park
Saturday, November 9th was a big day for Minnesota football. Our much beloved Golden Gophers got the biggest win in program history, Mankato State beat Sioux Falls in a Northern Sun nail biter, and the MIAC competed in its 9th…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSaturday, November 9th was a big day for Minnesota football. Our much beloved Golden Gophers got the biggest win in program history, Mankato State beat Sioux Falls in a Northern Sun nail biter, and the MIAC competed in its 9th week with playoffs gearing up soon. Saturday was no slouch for prep football either, as programs of all different sizes competed in state quarterfinal matchups across the Land of 10,00 Lakes, and at Osseo high school I was lucky enough to represent Northstar Football News in covering the 5A competition pitting the Coon Rapids Cardinals versus the Spring Lake Park Panthers. The knock-down, drag-out 14-2 Cardinals victory was about what I expected from the two teams in terms of physicality, but something I was surprised about was the amount of turnovers committed by the two teams. Despite a balanced offensive that has averaged around 200 yards rushing per game and 100 yards passing per game led by Jake Van Hulzen (6’1, 185 lbs.), the Cardinals struggled early and put the ball on the ground twice in the 1st quarter on consecutive drives that put their defensive on a short field twice. However, Coon Rapids was playing assignment sound defense and were stifling the Panthers triple option attack led by QB Zack Dunbar (6′, 170 lbs.) and a powerful line that was used to pushing people around this season. CR, led by big-time NSIC recruit Myles Taylor (6′, 230 lbs.) were getting penetration and making big tackles and found themselves still in the game after two early turnovers. The score at the end of the 1st remained 0-0.
The 2nd quarter primarily consisted of a Coon Rapids 94-yard TD drive that began with them pinned on their own 6-yard line. Van Hulzen made some throws and sophomore hammer David Geebli (5’9, 180 lbs.) began to get the legs churning and broke out a few good runs which ended with him punching the ball into the end zone from 4-yards out with 5:48 left in the half to put CR up 7-0.
David Geebli CRThe Spring Lake Park Panthers came roaring back though, and a fake punt and a big catch on a fade route by 2021 WR/S Kaleb Skelly (6’4, 185 lbs.) brought them quickly down to the 13-yard line of the Cardinals. The Panthers attempted back-to-back fades in the end zone to Skelly, but both were into double coverage and the halftime clock expired without the Panthers getting on the board, and the score remained 7-0.
The 3rd quarter began with my dude Henry Dennis (5’11, 190 lbs.) making another unbelievable kickoff tackle. #4 puts everything he has into kickoff coverage, and leveled a Coon Rapids blocker before making a tackle on the returner for the opening kick of the 2nd half. CR fumbled an option toss that put them behind the chains, and ended up punting it to SLP where the Panthers then fumbled a handoff on 2nd down which was recovered by the Cardinals. SLP’s defense led by senior MLB Blaine Cooper (6’1, 180 lbs.) made a nice stand though, and both teams traded possessions offensively. A beauty of a punt by #80 Evan Fedoravicius (6’3, 210 lbs.) of SLP pinned CR deep in their own territory occurred after one of these failed offensive possessions, where the Panthers #10 Nick Wetzel (5’9, 160 lbs.), found Van Hulzen on a blitz and was awarded a safety for his efforts as Van Hulzen intentionally grounded the ball in the end zone.
Blaine Cooper SLPThe Panthers showed life at this point own 14-2, but after receiving the free kick they fumbled it back to CR, who fumbled it back to SLP, who then AGAIN fumbled it back to the Cardinals. It was bananas, and as the 3rd quarter finished the score remained 7-2 with Coon Rapids still in possession of the football.
Despite the Panthers best efforts, they simply could not put a drive together in the 4th quarter, and a strong rushing performance by Geebli – who finished the game with 115 yards and a TD on 28 carries – helped Van Hulzen find the end zone on a rushing TD with 10:38 left in the last quarter of the game. Spring Lake Park had a great season and fought with a talented senior class to the very end. Coon Rapids will take on Chaska next Friday at 2 PM for the chance to compete in the MN state 5A championship. Stay tuned for updates!
Hudl game recap: http://www.hudl.com/v/2CLF9e