Elk River Rumbles St. Francis in a Powerful 2nd Half: Game Recap

ST. FRANCIS, MINN-- My Prep Redzone Minnesota Game of the Week took us to the far NW Metro, where the 5th-ranked team in 5AAAAA St. Francis, played host to another NW Metro powerhouse in the 3rd-ranked Elk River. The first half of this game showed off a ton of versatility on defense, as only 21 total points were scored between both the Elks and the Fighting Saints. The second half was a different story, as the Elks used their elusiveness in their Wing T offense with the weapons and the agile selling ability they possessed to steal a victory from the Fighting Saints at home and finish their season 8-0 in what battle of 7-0 teams on this lovely Wednesday night in St. Francis.   1st Quarter   After a lengthy 52-yard kickoff return by 2024 WR Noah Lamson, 2023 RB Joe Waldock scampered for a 30-yard rushing touchdown to get the #5 team in the 5A state rankings an early lead over #3 Elk River. St. Francis 7, Elk River 0.   Then with 3:08 left in the first, the agile running ability of Elk River 2023 QB [player_tooltip player_id='112060' first='Cade' last='Osterman'] came to light and didn't stop for the rest of the night. Cade snuck this one in from 6-yards out for a touchdown to get the Elks on the board. They went for two but unfortunately did not get it keeping the Fighting Saints with the lead late in the first quarter. After a dime over the middle of the field from St. Francis 2023 QB Jaxon Skogquist to 2023 WR Wes Johnson for 38 yards, Elk River 2025 prospect Gavin Schmidt started off his excellent night in St. Francis on both sides of the ball by picking up a fumble recovery to steal the momentum from the Fighting Saints of St. Francis. St. Francis 7, Elk River 6. End of the 1st Quarter   2nd Quarter   After a massive hit stick by St. Francis 2023 LB Phillip Conant, the Elks were forced to punt on 4th down. However, [player_tooltip player_id='112060' first='Cade' last='Osterman'] had other plans getting the Elk River first down off the fake punt, using his finessive burst and awareness to advance the Elks' momentum to go their way entering the rest of the game. Later that drive, it was [player_tooltip player_id='112060' first='Cade' last='Osterman'] again getting his second touchdown of the night and showing up some impressive football IQ on that drive alone. Elk River was victorious on their 2nd two-point conversion on the night, where Osterman found his other fellow 2023 team captain Jack Lachmiller in the back of the end zone. Elk River 14, St. Francis 7. Halftime   3rd Quarter   This quarter was very strong defensively for both teams, as it wasn't until about 46 seconds left in the 3rd quarter that Elk River was able to fool the bulk of the St. Francis defense with their outstanding wing T offense and enhanced selling ability of who did or didn't, in this case, have the ball. The Fighting Saints thought it was the senior playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='112060' first='Cade' last='Osterman'], but 2025 RB Gavin Schmidt took it for a 35-yard touchdown run untouched to give Elk River a two-score lead going into the 4th quarter. Elk River 22, St. Francis 7. End of the 3rd quarter.   4th Quarter   St. Francis had their chances in the 4th quarter of action, but critical turnovers cost them the opportunity for a comeback. After a Max DeBuhr fumble recovery off an Elks turnover, 2023 QB Caden Skogquist fired a deep ball dart to 2023 WR Wes Johnson to get St. Francis down to the Elk River 25-yard-line; it was Elk River 2025 LB/RB Gavin Schmidt that came up with the vital interception to stop the Fighting Saints in their tracks for a solid chance at a comeback in this one. After the Elks got the ball back, it was 2023 RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='303687' first='Pj' last='Bono'] that used his elusive speed to escape to the end zone, and the Elks once again got the 2-point conversion making it 30-7 with just under 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Elk River 30, St. Francis 7   The Fighting Saints were able to get a score just outside the last 3 minutes of the game, where 2023 QB Caden Skogquist found 2023 WR Colin Schack for their final and only touchdown of the second half. This would be the final touchdown of the evening, as #3 Elk River wound up victorious over #5 in 5AAAAA. Elk River 30, St. Francis 13. Final   Next Up: Big Dogs of the Game. Elk River will be next, and then St. Francis in this two-part series!

ST. FRANCIS, MINN-- My Prep Redzone Minnesota Game of the Week took us to the far NW Metro, where the 5th-ranked team in 5AAAAA St. Francis, played host to another NW Metro powerhouse in the 3rd-ranked Elk River. The first half of this game showed off a ton of versatility on defense, as only 21 total points were scored between both the Elks and the Fighting Saints. The second half was a different story, as the Elks used their elusiveness in their Wing T offense with the weapons and the agile selling ability they possessed to steal a victory from the Fighting Saints at home and finish their season 8-0 in what battle of 7-0 teams on this lovely Wednesday night in St. Francis.