Alexandria’s Thompson unstoppable in semi-final win

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one of the best quarterback performances you will ever see, Alexandria's [player_tooltip player_id='641133' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] was nearly perfect as his offense scored early and often overwhelming the undefeated Owatonna Huskies. The 42-20 victory put the Cardinals into the 5A state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was bombs away from the game's first play for the Alexandria Cardinals and Thompson – literally. Thompson put his arm strength on full display on play one, completing a pass to <strong>Mason Witt</strong> for a 60-yard completion. Owatonna forced a fourth down, but Thompson found [player_tooltip player_id='945334' first='Mason' last='Gorghuber'] across the middle for a first down and a thirteen-yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owatonna avoided disaster when a shotgun snap was high. Huskies' running back [player_tooltip player_id='493343' first='Tristan' last='Graham'] scooped up the ball and turned a big loss into a seven-yard gain. The Huskies would have to punt, but all things considered, they probably were okay with the tradeoff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson went deep again right after the punt. Gorghuber made a great catch on the sidelines for a fifty-yard gain. Gorghuber caught a third ball in two drives to pick up a first down in the red zone. Thompson was on the move, and he showed his arm strength by rolling to his right and throwing back to his left. <strong>Samson Hagstrom</strong> made a diving catch at the six-yard line. The catch was short of the first down, setting up a fourth and short. Owatonna's <strong>Zachary Dahnert</strong> stuffed an inside run, giving the ball back to his offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexandria's defense forced a three-and-out when [player_tooltip player_id='1204489' first='Dean' last='Lempka'] got into the backfield on third down, allowing his teammates to rally and make a tackle to force a Huskies punt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexandria faced third and long, but Thompson found [player_tooltip player_id='641141' first='Evan' last='Kludt'], who made a diving catch for the first down. A pass interference call put the ball into the red zone, setting up a Thompson twelve-yard touchdown pass to Gorghuber – sense a pattern yet - on a crossing route.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A couple of penalties helped Owatonna get inside the five-yard line, but then a penalty backed up the Huskies to the seventeen-yard line. Another pass interference call helped keep the drive alive. Huskies quarterback Hunter Theis dropped back to pass and didn't find anyone open, so he sprinted forward to get into the end zone. The extra point was blocked by <strong>Macklen Heydt</strong> coming off the corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The teams would exchange punts, and then the Cardinals' offense went back to work. They forced a pass interference call. Thompson – who has committed to Clemson to play basketball - had to come off the field for an equipment issue, but they didn't take their foot off the gas. Backup quarterback Talan Witt rolled out and threw down the sidelines to Gorghuber to convert on a third and ten. Gorghuber made a great adjustment to the ball to move the chains. Thompson threw across his body again, and Hagstrom was able to make a diving catch inside the five-yard line. Thompson finished the drive with a short touchdown run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trailing 21-6, Owatonna went to the air, but Alexandria's [player_tooltip player_id='1118371' first='Dane' last='Olson'] picked off the Huskies, giving his offense the ball back inside the thirty. One play later, Thompson threw deep to Gorghuber for a 27-yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals would force another punt and might have gotten a little greedy. With under a minute to play, Thompson threw an interception to Owatonna's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1583309' first='Blake' last='Davison']</strong>, who sprinted down the sidelines with a pick-six. Owatonna had momentum going into the half, just trailing 28-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both defenses held coming out of the locker room. The Cardinals' defense turned out another three-and-out, and the Cardinals' offense—after two straight empty possessions—got back to work. Gorghuber made an outstanding catch on the sidelines for a 28-yard gain. Gorghuber was the target again. He caught the ball on the sidelines, made a move on the defender, and sprinted into the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately, Owatonna's Theis had to leave the game due to what looked like a shoulder injury. Alexandria took advantage of the backup quarterback as<strong> </strong>Klundt stopped the Huskies' next drive with a diving interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals took a 35-14 lead into the fourth quarter, and both teams added a touchdown to make the final score 42-20 Alexandria.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='641133' first='Chase' last='Thompson']'s final totals – 432 yards passing, five touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->