Weekly News

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By Charlie Sorrells
Fairmont Football Association Contributor

    FAIRMONT – An epic back-and-forth, talk-about-it-for-years prep gridiron clash.
Elijah Johnson’s clutch 1-yard rushing touchdown, combined with Hank Artz’s key 2-point conversion reception from Joe Long, regained the lead for Fairmont at 28-21 with 5:07 remaining in Saturday’s Class AAA state football quarterfinal at Washburn High School in Minneapolis.
Unfortunately for the cardiac Cardinals, halfbacks Caleb Smock and Kobee Thielen countered as the Dassel-Cokato Chargers utilized their no-huddle wishbone offense to counter with only 25 seconds to go in regulation and a state semifinal trip to U.S. Bank Stadium on the line.
With time winding down, Smock – who amassed a game-best 163 yards on 29 carries -- converted a monumental fourth-and-1 situation to reach the Cardinals’ 14-yard line. Lars Salmen, D-C’s 6-foot-3, 300-pound fullback, hammered out 4 yards to gain the 10 before quarterback Cole Veith delivered his best ride-the-belly fake of the postseason battle.
Veith pulled the football from Lars Salmen, who pounded up the middle, and flipped an option pitch to the fleet-footed Smock, who outraced Fairmont’s defense to the left pylon for a TD to inch the Chargers within one point at 28-27. After a Cardinal timeout, Veith duplicated his fake-and-pitch play by finding Thielen in the right flat for the game-winning 2-point conversion run at 29-28.
Dassel-Cokato (10-1) advances to a Class AAA state semifinal against Pequot Lakes at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Fairmont, which was making its 13th state appearance, ended the season with an 8-3 overall record.
“Obviously, it wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but that was a classic high school football battle between two equally matched programs. Unfortunately, one of us had to lose and the other advanced to the ‘bank,’” said Fairmont head coach Mat Mahoney. “I’m still proud of the strides our guys made as players and more importantly, as teammates and young men. A coach couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Long, who completed 7 of 11 passes for 150 yards, connected with wideout Nolan Schultze for a key 27-yard pickup to trigger Fairmont’s game-opening 12-play scoring drive that covered 93 yards. After his catch put the football at the Chargers’ 33, Schultze reeled off 18 yards on an end-around run before Long utilized his speed to generate a 20-yard run to convert a pivotal fourth-and-12 situation at the 15.
Schultze later capped the march downfield by demonstrating his state track speed via a 14-yard scoring sweep run to the left pylon. Lucas Rosburg kicked the PAT for a 7-0 lead with 6:20 left in the opening quarter.
Smock and Thielen then packed a proverbial 1-2 rushing punch to spark the Chargers’ 17-play, 72-yard countering scoring drive. Thielen, who finished with 100 yards on a yeoman’s 35 carries, plowed up the middle from 1 yard out before Hunter Seijdel kicked the extra point to knot the game at 7-all with 1:29 left in the first frame.
Octavius Winston’s quarterback sack helped D-C force a three-and-out ensuing series by Fairmont before Cardinal defensive back Hadan Toomer delivered a key tackle on the Chargers’ fourth-and-three pitch play to keep the game even on the scoreboard in the second quarter.
Long went to the airwaves to stake Fairmont to a lead just 4:58 remaining before halftime. Long fired a perfectly-timed 53-yard spiral to Tavian Harvey to reach D-C’s 20. Three snaps later, Long spotted Brett Williams on a timing pattern for a TD and Rosburg kicked the PAT for a 14-7 lead.
The Chargers steadily moved football downfield – helped by Smock’s 19-yard run – to eventually set up a fourth-and-goal situation at the Cardinals’ 10 with only seconds remaining. Williams nearly intercepted Veith’s pass to end the first half.
David Miller’s stop for no gain on third-and-four forced D-C to punt after receiving the third-quarter kickoff. Elijah Johnson, who generated 115 yards on 23 totes, pounded out 61 of Fairmont’s ensuing 63-yard scoring march and capped it with a high-stepping vapor-trail 25-yard TD sprint. The kick sailed wide right to keep the score at 20-7 with 5:41 left in the third quarter.
Thielen, however, re-energized the Chargers by returning the following kickoff 32 yards to start the next sequence at their own 42. Smock twisted and turned to produce 18 yards before an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Cardinals moved the football to Fairmont’s 17.
Smock scored the first of his game-best three Tds on a 1-yard run behind Lars Salmen and Thielen’s blocking. Seijdel kicked the PAT to inch D-C within 20-14 with 3:44 to go in the third quarter.
A bad snap on first down and a sack by Nolan Henke and Michael Khondoker on second down forced the Cardinals to punt. Once again, Thielen and Smock fueled a time-consuming 67-yard scoring march, with Smock taking the 15-yard toss from Veith into the end zone to knot the game at 20-all. Seijdel’s kick staked D-C to a 21-20 lead with 10:02 left in the fourth.
Fairmont capitalized on D-C’s ensuing out-of-bounds kickoff to start at the 35. Long’s clutch 26-yard strike to Schultze over the middle on fourth-and-10 kept the Cardinals alive at the Chargers’ 23.
Elijah Johnson did the rest by pounding out runs of 8, 14 and 1, respectively, to reach the end zone. Long then zipped a 2-point conversion pass to Artz to give Fairmont a 28-21 lead with 5:07 to go before the Chargers assembled their game-winning, time-consuming march in the final seconds.
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Fairmont    7  7  6   8 – 28
Dassel-C    7  0  7 15 – 29
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
FMT: Nolan Schultze 14 run (Lucas Rosburg kick), 6:20.
D-C: Kobee Thielen 1 run (Hunter Seijdel kick), 1:29.
2nd Quarter
FMT: Brett Williams 20 pass from Joe Long (Rosburg kick), 4:58.
3rd Quarter
FMT: Elijah Johnson 25 run (kick failed), 5:41.
D-C: Caleb Smock 1 run (Seijdel kick), 3:44.
4th Quarter
D-C: Smock 15 run (Seijdel kick), 10:02.
FMT: E. Johnson 1 run (Hank Artz pass from Joe Long), 5:07.
D-C: Smock 10 run (Thielsen run), 0:25.
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TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Dassel-Cokato 22; Fairmont 12. Rushing: D-C 70-320; Fairmont 37-160. Passing (Complete-Attempts-INTs-Yards): Fairmont 7-11-0-150; D-C 0-2-0-0. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 3-0; D-C 1-0. Penalties: Fairmont 7-54; D-C none.
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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Offense: Elijah Johnson (FMT) 23-115; Caleb Smock (DC) 29-163, Kobee Thielen (DC) 35-100. Passing: Joe Long (FMT) 7-11-0-150; Cole Veith (DC) 0-2-0-0. Receiving: Fairmont: Nolan Schultze 3-55, Tavian Harvey 1-53, Brett Williams 2-38, Hank Artz 1-4.
Defense: Interceptions: none. Fumble recoveries: none. 

By Charlie Sorrells
Fairmont Football Association Contributor

   FAIRMONT – “The quality of each yard - either gained or lost - will be maximized in a game of this magnitude,” Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney said in reference to his South No. 3-seeded Cardinals’ Class AAA state football quarterfinal clash against the South No. 2-seeded Dassel-Cokato Chargers at 3 PM Saturday at Minneapolis Washburn High School’s turf gridiron.
Ironically, the Cardinals and Chargers each qualified for the final eight-at-state plateau by relying on time-consuming ground-and-pound offensive attacks, while adding only 27 and 34 more yards, respectively, through the air.
Fairmont (8-2) dethroned Section 3 champion Waseca, 17-12, last Friday night by rushing for 243 yards – 190 by University of St. Thomas commit Elijah Johnson – to complement his two touchdowns, while Dassel-Cokato (9-1) captured the Section 2 crown by reeling off 329 rushing yards in a 33-18 win over Litchfield, with halfback Caleb Smock amassing 123 yards and three scores to pace the effort.
“Dassel-Cokato’s offense is the same – wishbone with double tight ends – we faced during the (Class AAA) state quarterfinals three years ago,” Mahoney said in reference to the Chargers’ 41-13 win that helped propel head coach Ryan Weinandt’s team to the 2021 state championship. “One big difference for them from the last time we played can be seen in the backfield.”
Mahoney is referring to 6-foot-3, 300-pound senior fullback Lars Salmen, who will look to create extra running room for the Chargers’ pair of 1,000-plus yard halfbacks in Smock and senior Kobee Thielen, along with junior Isaac Salmen. Thielen tops Dassel-Cokato with 1,165 yards and has generated 17 Tds, while Smock leads all rushers with 24 scores to go with 1,126 yards. Isaac Salmen produced 81 yards and one TD in the sectional finals win over Litchfield.
“Their fullback is a powerful ‘kicking-out’ machine,” Mahoney said in reference to Lars Salmen. “Dassel-Cokato’s offensive line is not as big as some teams, but they’re explosive off the snap.
“Combine that kind of effective blocking with their halfbacks’ abilities to find an inch and squeeze through the hole, and you’ve got a challenge on your hands.”
Senior Cole Veith, who’s completed 18 of 38 passes for 404 yards and four Tds on the entire campaign, puts the Chargers’ offense in motion.
“Veith, their quarterback, has proven to be a good decision-maker and knows when to pull it from the running backs and when to keep it,” said Mahoney. “We’ve got some playmakers of our own on both sides of the line of scrimmage, so I think it’s going to be an epic battle.”
Indeed. Elijah Johnson enters the state quarterfinal clash as the No. 3 all-time single-season rushing leader in Fairmont football lore with 1,556 yards to complement an incredible 24 Tds on 224 carries. Only Fairmont Athletic Hall of Famers Mike Wubbena (1,717) and Jake Tietje (1,607) have rushed for more yards during a fall campaign.
Junior quarterback Joe Long has proven highly efficient through the air for the Cardinals, completing 83 of 119 passes for 1,095 yards and eight Tds this season. Long’s favorite receiver, senior Nolan Schultze, tops all wideouts with 30 catches for 562 yards and five Tds.
Schultze also displays his sure hands by pacing the Cardinals with three interceptions and one of the defense’s three pick-6s. Brett Williams has garnered two picks and returned one for six points, while defensive tackle Hank Artz has contributed a pick-6.
Artz, who’s headed for Bemidji State to play football next season, creates chaos from a defensive perspective and is second to senior end Trevor Maakestad in the quarterback sacks category, trailing 4.5-7.5, respectively. Linebacker Caleb Chambers tops Fairmont with four fumble recoveries, including scooping up a blocked punt for a TD.
Defensive tackle Octavius Winston paces the Dassel-Cokato tackling charts with 51 on the season, with Isaac Salmen next by netting 48.5 from his inside linebacker position in the Chargers’ 4-4 defensive alignment.
Outside linebacker Elijah Torola and inside linebacker Damien Kasanezky have contributed 43 and 30 stops, respectively, for the Chargers, while cornerback Kaleb Kraemer leads the secondary with two interceptions.
“They come right at you, so we have to do our jobs, be in the right spots and wrap up on our tackles,” said Mahoney.
Fairmont is making its 13th overall state appearance – seventh under Mat Mahoney’s tutelage, while Dassel-Cokato is competing in its sixth state football playoffs. Fairmont was the Class AAA state runner-up in both 2011 and 2018, while Dassel-Cokato was the state champion in 2021.
In Class AAA’s other three quarterfinal games, South No. 1 seed and defending state champion Stewartville (11-0) plays South No. 4 seed Holy Family Catholic (8-2) at noon Saturday at Totino-Grace High School’s field in Fridley; North No. 1 seed Fergus Falls (10-0) battles North No. 4 seed Albany (10-0) at 6 PM Friday night at Alexandria High School’s field; while North No. 2 seed Pequot Lakes (10-0) squares off against North No. 3 seed Annandale (10-1) at 7 PM Saturday night at Rocori.
The Class AAA state semifinals will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The lowest South seed plays the highest North seed at 2 PM, while the highest South seed faces the lowest North seed in a 4:30 PM contest.
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STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT CARDINALS (8-2)
OFFENSE
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-1, 145, Junior
RB: #8 Elijah Johnson, 5-10, 195, Senior
FB: #44 Hank Artz, 6-3, 245, Senior
OT: #65 Oliver Tordsen, 6-8, 235, Senior
OG: #55 Ivan Martin, 6-0, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 220, Junior
OG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Junior
OT: #77 David Miller, 6-4, 250, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-2, 175, Sophomore
WR: #3 Nolan Schultze, 6-2, 175, Senior
WR: #1 Tavian Harvey, 6-0, 145, Junior

DEFENSE
E: #44 Artz
T: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-2, 270, Junior
T: #55 Ivan Martin
E: #5 Trevor Maakestad, 6-7, 185, Senior
OLB: #23 Caleb Chambers, 5-10, 175, Senior
MLB: #40 Hunter Johnson, 6-1, 216, Senior
OLB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Junior
CB: #12 Hadan Toomer, 6-1, 180, Senior
CB: #1 Harvey
S: #6 Jaron Schutz, 5-11, 150, Senior
S: #3 Nolan Schultze
…
DASSEL-COKATO CHARGERS (9-1)
OFFENSE
QB: #4 Cole Veith, 5-10, 180, Senior
FB: #40 Lars Salmen, 6-3, 300, Senior
HB: #1 Kobee Thielen, 6-0, 185, Senior
HB: #2 Caleb Smock, 5-10, 180, Senior
TE: #25 Jackson Yanke, 6-0, 185, Senior
OT: #50 Jackson Aho, 5-9, 235, Sophomore
OG: #61 Braxton Londerville, 5-10, 175, Senior
C: #78 Ryan Schoenherr, 5-9, 220, Senior
OG: #56 Spencer Henke, 5-9, 245, Senior
OT: #71 Brandon Ryynanen, 6-0, 200, Senior
TE: #17 Ryder Barrick, 6-1, 170, Senior

DEFENSE
E: #24 Nolan Henke, 5-9, 165, Senior
T: #10 Michael Khondoker, 6-2, 190, Junior
T: #13 Octavius Winston, 5-10, 210, Senior
E: #85 Tristan Brockoff, 6-2, 185, Senior
OLB: #41 Elijah Torola, 5-9, 180, Sophomore
ILB: #29 Isaac Salmen, 6-0, 190, Junior
ILB: #15 Damien Kasanezky, 6-3, 185, Junior
OLB: #3 Anthony Biseno, 5-8, 145, Junior
CB: #9 Chase Luthens, 6-1, 170, Junior
CB: #23 Kaleb Kraemer, 5-11, 145, Sophomore
S: #19 Parker Haataja, 5-9, 160, Junior 

By Charlie Sorrells
Fairmont Football Association Contributor

   FAIRMONT – Elijah Johnson proved the ultimate power running back, Trevor Maakestad continued his stellar comeback from an early-season injury and Class AAA No. 8-ranked Fairmont fended off No. 4-rated Waseca’s second-half comeback during Friday night’s Section 3 football championship clash.
Johnson delivered a yeoman’s performance of 45 carries for a game-best 190 yards and two touchdowns, Maakestad generated three quarterback sacks and tipped and/or altered a half-dozen passes, while Lucas Rosburg kicked a 25-yard field goal and two PATs to pace the Cardinals’ 17-12 triumph over the Bluejays in New Ulm.
No. 3 state seed Fairmont (8-2), who earned its 13th overall state appearance, squares off against No. 2-seeded Dassel-Cokato (9-1) in a 3 PM Class AAA state quarterfinal clash next Saturday (Nov. 9) at Minneapolis Washburn High School’s field.
Waseca, the 2023 Section 3 champion, ended its season with an 8-2 overall record.
“We accomplished all of our goals – we controlled the line of scrimmage, dominated time of possession – especially during the first half, did not commit a turnover, limited our penalties and of course, won the game,” said Fairmont’s Mat Mahoney, who has guided the program to seven state bids during his 18-year tenure as head coach.
The Cardinals impressively assembled a 17-play scoring drive that covered 90 yards and chewed up 8 minutes and 11 seconds during the sectional championship’s opening series. Elijah Johnson utilized his power-packed 195-pound frame to amass 70 yards by handling the football 13 times, capped by his 2-yard TD run over the left side. Rosburg kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with only 3:49 remaining in the first frame.
Maakestad, who returned during last week’s sectional semifinal after missing a half-dozen games, dropped Waseca freshman quarterback Kellen Klinger for a sack on a third down and long situation to force an early punt before Elijah Johnson and Fairmont’s blocking eight – tackles David Miller and Oliver Tordsen, guards Ivan Martin and Tyler Bicknase, center Jake Ehlert, tight end Vincent Schultz and twin fullbacks Hank Artz and Hunter Johnson – put together a 13-play time-consuming drive that covered 65 yards.
Elijah Johnson culminated the march that bridged the first and second quarters by slamming across the goal line from 4 yards out for his second TD. Rosburg’s kick split the uprights for a 14-0 edge with 5:25 left in the second quarter.
Maakestad, with assistance from linebacker Caleb Chambers, produced a pivotal quarterback sack for a 9-yard loss to create another punting situation for Waseca during the next series.
Elijah Johnson churned out 28 of the 50-yard drive, quarterback Joe Long chipped in a 6-yard run and Long zipped an 8-yard pass to Nolan Schultze to set up Rosburg’s 25-yard field goal as time expired in the first half with a 17-0 score.
Waseca, however, exploded out of the gate in the third quarter as Klinger hit Carson Ohnstad for a 14-yard completion before running back Bennett Ludwig broke loose for a 42-yard run to reach Fairmont’s 8. Klinger later scored on a fourth-down 1-yard keeper behind center to narrow the Bluejays’ gap to 17-6. Chambers and Artz combined to block the PAT kick with 9:31 left in the third.
Linebacker Koltyn Quillen’s key backfield stop for a 5-yard loss on second down helped Waseca forced a Fairmont punt without getting a first down.
Klinger, who finished with a game-best 169 passing yards, went to the air for a 17-yard strike to Deron Russell before finding Damarius Russell on a 46-yard timing pattern along the sideline for a TD. Damarius Russell’s 2-point pass failed to leave the score at 17-12 with 6:30 left in the third quarter.
Both defenses dominated the final 18 minutes of regulation to send Fairmont to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2022 and avenged the Cardinals' 20-19 regular-season loss to Waseca.
“We’re very fortunate that we’re only one of eight teams in Class AAA still playing next weekend,” said Mahoney. “Now it’s back to work in getting prepared for the state quarterfinals. It doesn’t matter who we play – they’re all tough at this stage of the game.”
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Fairmont     7 10   0  0 – 17
Waseca        0  0 12  0 – 12
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
FMT: Elijah Johnson 2 run (Lucas Rosburg kick), 3:49.
2nd Quarter
FMT: E. Johnson 4 run (Rosburg kick), 5:25.
FMT: Rosburg 25 FG, 0:00.
3rd Quarter
WAS: Kellen Klinger 1 run (kick blocked), 9:31.
WAS: Damarius Russell 46 pass from Klinger (pass failed), 6:30.
4th Quarter
No Scoring.

TEAM STATISTICS
First downs: Fairmont 17; Waseca 8. Rushing: Fairmont 55-243; Waseca 9-32. Passing: Waseca 11-26-0-169; Fairmont 7-9-0-27. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 2-0; Waseca 2-0. Penalties: Fairmont 3-18; Waseca 2-20.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Offense: Rushing: E. Johnson (FMT) 45-190, Joe Long (FMT) 10-53; Bennett Ludwig (WAS) 4-42. Passing: Klinger (WAS) 11-26-0-169; Long (FMT) 7-9-0-27. Receiving: Carson Ohnstad (WAS) 4-57, Damarius Russell (WAS) 2-52, Deron Russell (WAS) 3-26, Ethan Hiller (WAS) 2-34; Hank Artz (FMT) 3-11, Nolan Schultze (FMT) 2-11, E. Johnson (FMT) 2-5.
Defense: Quarterback Sacks: Trevor Maakestad (FMT) 3. 

By Charlie Sorrells
Fairmont Football Association Contributor

  FAIRMONT – Familiar faces in the same old familiar places.
For the fourth consecutive football campaign, Waseca head coach Brad Wendland’s Bluejays (8-1) will lock up with Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney’s Cardinals (7-2) for the Section 3AAA championship at 7 PM Friday night on the artificial turf at New Ulm High School.
The Bluejays bested the Cardinals 21-13 in overtime to capture the 2023 sectional crown and a Class AAA state bid, while Fairmont downed Waseca by scores of 35-26 and 27-6 to garner top sectional honors in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The two member schools of the Big South Conference squared off in a non-district regular-season finale on Oct. 16, with the Bluejays outlasting the Cardinals by a 20-19 decision in Waseca.
So, is that previous contest truly pertinent to the second showdown between current No. 4 state-ranked and No. 1-seeded Waseca and No. 8 state-rated and No. 2-seeded Fairmont?
“Definitely,” said Mahoney. “We turned over the football in the first half the last time we played, and against a program that’s as well-coached as Waseca, you can’t have that and expect to win.”
Ironically, the Cardinals made the regular-season battle close on the final scoreboard when Brett Williams and Nolan Schultze produced rare back-to-back pick-6s from 55 and 102 yards, respectively, during the third quarter.
“Two important keys that we took away from two weeks ago centered around field position and the defensive perimeter,” said Mahoney. “We have to flip the field this Friday night and make Waseca have to go further to score.
“The second factor is we have to be more physical along the perimeter, tackle better and have our defense get off the field on third down.”
Despite the two interceptions, Waseca freshman quarterback Kellen Klinger assembled a fantasy football-esque outing by completing 24 of 42 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns to complement his one rushing TD in the one-point regular-season triumph.
Klinger utilized all three of his talented receivers, connecting with Carson Ohnstad 10 times for 72 yards and a score, completing seven spirals to Damarius Russell for 81 yards and a TD, and hooking up with Deron Russell six times for 95 more yards in the win over Fairmont.
“We know that Ohnstad and the Russell brothers are all outstanding wide receivers, but we also realize that 120 of Klinger’s 248 passing yards were thrown behind the line of scrimmage, and our defense will have to make the appropriate adjustments to prevent that this time around,” said Mahoney.
Waseca utilized a more balanced attack in posting a 28-0 sectional semifinal win over Jordan last Saturday. While Klinger completed 19 of 33 passes for 198 yards – including a 72-yard scoring strike to Deron Russell, Klinger crossed the goal line on a 1-yard run and running back Micah Allen-Haas contributed TD runs of 3 and 1 yard(s), respectively.
Linebacker Tauston Rupe, who made 10 tackles and one interception at Jordan’s expense, and his defensive teammates kept the Bluejays in a close first half in which Waseca clung to a 7-0 lead at intermission. The Bluejays, however, erupted for 21 second-half points to pull away from the Hubmen.
Meanwhile, at Mahoney Field in Fairmont on Saturday, the script was flipped as running back extraordinaire Elijah Johnson carried the football 25 times to generate 200 yards and two Tds to complement his 44-yard scoring reception in the fourth quarter.
Fairmont built a 21-7 halftime lead over Luverne in its sectional semifinal on the strength of Elijah Johnson’s scoring runs of 45 and 52 yards in combination with Nolan Schultze’s 65-yard TD catch from quarterback Joe Long.
Long finished with 200 yards and two Tds on 10-for-16 passing against Luverne, while Schultze pocketed three catches for 109 yards and Tavian Harvey contributed five receptions for 40 more yards.
“It’s our fourth sectional championship game in a row, so we’re pretty familiar with one another’s playbooks and personnel,” said Mahoney. “Once again, it’ll probably come right down to the wire, and the difference maker will be turnovers.
“We’re looking forward to playing for another section championship, and we’ll do the best we can to return to state.”
Fairmont enters Friday night’s 7 PM game with 12 state appearances – including six under Mahoney’s tutelage, while Waseca seeks its fifth state bid after earning four under Wendland’s coaching in 2009, 2018, 2019 and 2023.
…

STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT CARDINALS (7-2)
OFFENSE
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-1, 145, Junior
RB: #8 Elijah Johnson, 5-10, 195, Senior
FB: #44 Hank Artz, 6-3, 245, Senior
OT: #65 Oliver Tordsen, 6-8, 235, Senior
OG: #55 Ivan Martin, 6-0, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 220, Junior
OG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Junior
OT: #77 David Miller, 6-4, 250, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-2, 175, Sophomore
WR: #3 Nolan Schultze, 6-2, 175, Senior
WR: #1 Tavian Harvey, 6-0, 145, Junior

DEFENSE
E: #44 Artz
T: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-2, 270, Junior
T: #55 Ivan Martin
E: #5 Trevor Maakestad, 6-7, 185, Senior
OLB: #23 Caleb Chambers, 5-10, 175, Senior
MLB: #40 Hunter Johnson, 6-1, 216, Senior
OLB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Junior
CB: #12 Hadan Toomer, 6-1, 180, Senior
CB: #1 Harvey
S: #6 Jaron Schutz, 5-11, 150, Senior
S: #3 Nolan Schultze
…
WASECA BLUEJAYS (8-1)
OFFENSE
QB: #15 Kellen Klinger, 5-11, 180, Freshman
RB: #2 Bennett Ludwig, 5-6, 170, Senior
WR: #3 Damarius Russell, 6-0, 175, Senior
OT: #58 Brandon Jascha, 6-2, 290, Senior
OG: #78 Joe Mixteco Perez, 5-10, 265, Senior
C: #57 Cody Weber, 5-7, 235, Senior
OG: #55 Lucas Selthun, 5-9, 200, Junior
OT: #50 Ben Hagen, 5-11, 300, Senior
TE: #25 Deven Parpart, 5-8, 145, Junior
WR: #18 Carson Ohstad, 6-0, 175, Senior
WR: #7 Deron Russell, 6-2, 170, Junior

DEFENSE
E: #51 Kyle McGuire, 6-2, 240, Senior
NG: #75, Max Howard, 6-2, 240, Senior
E: #45 Micah Allen-Haas, 5-11, 190, Senior
OLB: #25 Parpart
ILB: #55 Selthun
ILB: #33 Tauston Rupe, 5-11, 220, Senior
OLB: #40 Titan Rahe, 5-9, 160, Sophomore
CB: #18 Ohnstad
CB: #7 Deron Russell
S: #5 Ethan Hiller, 6-1, 175, Junior
S: #3 Damarius Russell, Senior 

By Charlie Sorrells
Fairmont Football Association Contributor

 FAIRMONT – Joe Long and University of St. Thomas commit Elijah Johnson produced Fairmont’s first-ever twin-200 performances in the same football game Saturday, Nolan Schultze eclipsed the century mark in receiving yardage, while linemen Trevor Maakestad and Bemidji State commit Hank Artz turned up the defensive pressure in Saturday’s playoff win.
Elijah Johnson rushed for a game-best 200 yards and two long-distance touchdown strikes to complement a 44-yard scoring catch, Long threw for 200 yards and two scores – including one to Schultze, who made three receptions for 109 yards to engineer Fairmont’s 27-14 Section 3AAA semifinal victory over Luverne at Thomas Mahoney Field in Fairmont.
No. 2-seeded Fairmont (7-2) advances to face No. 1-seeded Waseca (8-1) in the sectional championship game at 7 PM Friday night on New Ulm High School’s turf gridiron. The Cardinals and defending champion Bluejays will clash for the fourth consecutive year for the right to qualify for the Class AAA state quarterfinals.
No. 3-seeded Luverne, which fell to Fairmont in the sectional semifinals for a fourth straight season Saturday, ended the fall with a 7-3 record.
Waseca, which edged Fairmont 20-19 in this year’s regular-season finale, downed No. 4-seeded Jordan 28-0 to earn a spot in the Section 3 finale.
“No doubt about it – our playmakers stepped up a level and delivered numerous big plays, including four from 40 yards-plus offensively,” said Fairmont head coach Mat Mahoney. “Maak’s (Maakestad) return (from injury) on the defensive side of the football proved a big boost for us, too.”
Elijah Johnson generated Fairmont’s initial pivotal play out of the starting gate by breaking loose for a 45-yard TD sprint on the third snap of the postseason clash in Fairmont. Johnson took the handoff from Long, accelerated around the end, picked up path-clearing block from Artz and shifted into high gear to outrace the Luverne secondary to paydirt. Lucas Rosburg kicked the PAT for a 7-0 lead at the 10:42 mark of the first quarter.
Carter Sehr, who returned under center after missing Luverne’s 41-0 section quarterfinal rout of Albert Lea on Tuesday night due to an injury, utilized his legs and accurate throwing arm to march the visitors to the matching score nearly 4 ½ minutes later.
Sehr reeled off a combined 24 yards on back-to-back runs before eventually lofting a 34-yard scoring spiral to Caden Kruger. Darius Dolo nailed the PAT kick to even the score at the 6:22 juncture of the first frame.
Long, who completed 10 of 16 passes, zipped a perfect 65-yard spiral to Nolan Schultze in stride on first down and the senior receiver demonstrated his state track speed en route to the TD. Rosburg kicked the PAT to regain the lead at 14-7 with 6:06 showing on the scoreboard.
Both Luverne and Fairmont’s defenses took over during the ensuing 18 minutes, with Luverne linebacker/end Coy Thone tipping a couple of Long passes, while Maakestad and teammate Oliver Tordsen answered in kind to keep the differential at seven.
With time winding down, Elijah Johnson needed only one handoff to deliver a clutch TD for Fairmont just before intermission. The difficult-to-tackle Johnson pinballed through traffic before accelerating down the sideline for a 52-yard TD. Rosburg’s kick extended Fairmont’s lead to 21-7 with 2:20 remaining in the second quarter.
Artz later delivered a key quarterback sack to stall out Luverne’s late offensive series right before halftime.
“Hank, Maak and Oliver really got after Luverne’s backfield down the stretch in the second quarter,” said Mahoney. “After halftime, Maak delivered back-to-back sacks for us to slam the brakes on Luverne’s opening possession of the third, too.”
Luverne and Fairmont’s defenses zipped their respective opposing offenses during the third quarter before Elijah Johnson put the game away with a 44-yard scoring reception from Long with 3:19 left in regulation.
Junior quarterback Josh Hansen later marched Luverne to seven more points by threading two completions each to Maddux Domagala and Dolo before hitting Dolo on a 35-yard TD pass with 1:11 remaining. Dolo kicked the PAT for a final score of 27-14.
Tavian Harvey supplied five catches for 40 yards for Fairmont, while Kruger made six receptions for 100 yards for Luverne and Dolo chipped in five grabs for 62 yards.
Sehr completed 11 of 22 passes for 131 yards and one TD for Luverne, while Hanson proved 6 of 11 for 94 yards through the air. Sehr also gained 50 yards on nine totes.
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LUV      7  0  0  7 – 14
FMT    14  7  0  6 – 27
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
FMT: Elijah Johnson 45 run (Lucas Rosburg kick), 10:42.
LUV: Caden Kruger 34 pass from Carter Sehr (Darius Dolo kick), 6:22.
FMT: Nolan Schultze 65 pass from Joe Long (Rosburg kick), 6:06.
2nd Quarter
FMT: E. Johnson 52 run (Rosburg kick), 2:20.
3rd Quarter
No Scoring.
4th Quarter
FMT: E. Johnson 44 pass from Long (kick failed), 3:19.
LUV: Dolo 35 pass from Josh Hansen (Dolo kick), 1:11.
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TEAM STATISTICS
First downs: Fairmont 10; Luverne 16. Rushing: Fairmont 30-205; Luverne 31-96. Passing: Fairmont 10-16-0-200; Luverne 17-33-0-225. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 1-0; Luverne 3-0. Penalties: Fairmont 4-45; Luverne 4-35.
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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Offense: Rushing: Elijah Johnson (FMT) 25-200; Carter Sehr (LUV) 9-50. Passing: Joe Long (FMT) 10-16-0-200; Sehr (LUV) 11-22-0-131, Hansen (LUV) 6-11-0-94. Receiving: Nolan Schultze (FMT) 3-109, Tavian Harvey (FMT) 5-40, E. Johnson (FMT) 1-44; Caden Kruger (LUV) 6-100, Dolo (LUV) 5-62.
Defense: No Interceptions or Fumble Recoveries.