Week 7 Recap - Cardinals 7, Titans 35
’Meara, Titans run over Cardinals, 35-7
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
MONTGOMERY – Quarterback Kellen Jirik’s hide-and-seek handoffs, wingback Keegan O’Meara’s tackle-breaking rushes and Tri-City United’s rotating unbalanced line kept the Fairmont Cardinals off-balanced during the Titans’ Homecoming football clash Friday night in Montgomery.
O’Meara ran for a game-best three touchdowns and 100 of TCU’s 337 yards on the ground before catching one of Jirik’s two passing scores, while cornerback Brody Factor pocketed two of the Titans’ three interceptions to pace a 35-7 upset victory over Fairmont in a sectional gridiron clash.
“TCU’s quarterback did a good job of deceiving every one in the stadium with his misdirectional handoffs,” Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney said in reference to the Titans’ 6-foot-2, 170-pound junior signal-caller. “They also kept us guessing by using five or six different running backs throughout the game, and TCU pretty much controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football.
“We still possess the ability to dominate a game, but we – including myself and my coaches – have a lot of work to do to return to that level in the next couple of days.”
Fairmont (4-3) travels to St. Peter for a pivotal 7 PM kickoff Wednesday (Oct. 15) at Floyd B. Johnson Field in the two teams’ regular-season finale during the Education Minnesota-shortened week. TCU (2-5) plays host to Worthington on Wednesday night back in Montgomery.
“Not exactly what you’d expect from a 1-5 team,” Mahoney said in reference to the Titans’ overall record after Week 6.
After forcing Fairmont into a three-and-out opening series, Jirik and his double-winged offense marched 72 yards on 11 plays, with O’Meara and Parker O’Malley pounding out 6-plus yards per carry. O’Meara crossed the goal line by motoring around left end from 2 yards out for a 6-0 lead with 7:08 remaining in the first frame.
Another three-and-out sequence by Fairmont allowed TCU to regain possession of the football at the Fairmont 41. Despite a 9-yard quarterback sack by the Cardinals’ Tyler Bicknase, Jirik converted a third-and-19 situation via a deft 19-yard swing pass to O’Meara out of the backfield to reach the 31.
O’Malley reeled off 21 yards on a jet sweep around right end to later reach the 5 before O’Meara capped the drive with a 1-yard TD run. O’Malley converted the 2-point run for a 14-0 lead with only 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Factor intercepted Long’s first-down pass to regain possession for the Titans, but Fairmont’s defense held as Titus Krauss’ 25-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left to keep the Cardinals’ deficit at 14 early in the second quarter.
Linebacker Aaron Becker’s 20-yard return of a fumble recovery to TCU’s 25 set up Fairmont’s only scoring drive of the game. Dakota Wiley, who topped the Cardinals with eight carries for 54 yards, sprinted up the middle for 19 to reach the 6. Two snaps later, Long zipped a TD pass to Wiley before Long kicked the PAT to narrow Fairmont’s gap to 14-7 with 5:27 left in the second frame.
O’Meara, however, delivered a momentum-swinging 57-yeard breakaway run down the Titans’ sideline on the fifth snap of the next possession to help restore the home team’s 14-point edge. Krauss kicked the PAT for a 21-7 lead with 3:35 left before intermission.
Ryan Dahlke’s fumble recovery exactly 1 minute later put TCU in business at the Fairmont 37. Eric Borchardt pounded out 24 yards on two carries before Jirik converted a third-and-9 situation by arching a fade pass to O’Malley, who made a leaping catch for the 12-yard TD. Krauss’ kick made it 28-7 with only 7 seconds left before halftime.
Jirik, who completed 5 of 8 passes for 65 yards, zipped a 10-yard screen to O’Meara for the second half’s only TD with 6:26 to go in the third quarter. Jirik’s interception on the ensuing Fairmont possession during the third quarter, combined with Factor’s second pick of the game during the fourth frame, prevented any late heroics by the Cardinals.
Fairmont 0 7 0 0 – 7
TCU 14 14 7 0 – 35
SCORING PLAYS
1st Quarter
TCU: Keegan O’Meara 2 run (kick blocked), 7:08.
TCU: Keegan O’Meara 1 run (Parker O’Malley run), 0:58.
2nd Quarter
FHS: Dakota Wiley 6 pass from Joe Long (Joe Long kick), 5:27.
TCU: Keegan O’Meara 57 run (Titus Krauss kick), 3:35.
TCU: Parker O’Malley 12 pass from Kellen Jirik (Titus Krauss kick), 0:07.
3rd Quarter
TCU: Keegan O’Meara 10 pass from Kellen Jirik (Titus Krauss kick), 6:26.
4th Quarter
No Scoring.
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Tri-City United 19; Fairmont 4. Rushing: TCU 63-337; Fairmont 13-72. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): TCU 5-8-0-65; Fairmont 2-16-3-35. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 2-1; TCU 4-1. Penalties: Fairmont 4-26; TCU 7-69.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Offense: Rushing: Fairmont: Dakota Wiley 8-54. TCU: Keegan O’Meara 13-100, Parker O’Malley 9-88, Nathan Blaschko 9-70, Eric Borchardt 11-51. Passing: Joe Long (FHS) 2-16-3-35; Kellen Jirik (TCU) 5-8-0-65. Receiving: Fairmont: Merritt Pomerenke 1-29, Dakota Wiley 1-6. TCU: Keegan O’Meara 2-29, Parker O’Malley 1-12.
Defense: Fumble Recoveries: Aaron Becker (FHS), Ryan Dahlke (TCU). Interceptions: Brody Factor (TCU) 2, Kellen Jirik (TCU) 1.
Card to Watch - Week 7 Preview
No. 28 Macklain Anderson - Senior: Running Back
Fairmont hosts Belle Plaine for Homecoming
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – Minnesota high school football pioneer and legendary Fairmont coach Thomas Mahoney taught his grandson a basic premise of life that has carried onto the prep gridiron on countless occasions – “prior proper planning prevents poor performance.”
“After watching film on Tri-City United, the old saying definitely fits from a preparedness perspective,” Cardinal head coach Mat Mahoney said in reference to his grandfather’s sage advice. “TCU runs an offense in which every play is based on putting a player in motion. They run jet sweeps, counters, inside traps – you name it, they probably have a play for it.
“Our defense will have its work cut out for it when we travel to Montgomery for the (7 PM) game Friday night.”
The Cardinals’ smothering defense limited Belle Plaine to a mere 82 yards of total offense – fueled by two quarterback sacks apiece by Mathew Martin and Benet Mathiason, and another from Tyler Bicknase – to pace a 35-0 triumph last Friday night in Fairmont.
Meanwhile, after opening the season with five consecutive losses, TCU – a combination of Montgomery, Lonsdale and Le Center – assembled all the pieces to the puzzle to post a 28-22 win over New Ulm last week.
The Titans displayed their versatility as four different players found a variety of ways to reach the end zone against the Eagles. Wingback Keegan O’Meara took a toss from quarterback Kellen Jirik and scampered 8 yards for TCU’s initial TD during Week 6. Split end Parker O’Malley crossed the goal line on a 5-yard jet sweep over the right pylon, running back Toren Kelly cut a sweep pitch into the heart of the New Ulm defense and sprinted 63 yards for a score, while Jirik delivered what proved to be the eventual game-winner via a 1-yard keeper during the third quarter.
“TCU runs a 4-4 defense and moves guys around with their main intention of stopping the run,” Mahoney said in reference to a Titans’ alignment that allows an average of 34.8 points per outing. “I thought we did a good job of balancing our passing and running games last week, and hope to continue that trend again.”
Quarterback Joe Long threw for 161 yards and four touchdowns by utilizing the receiving skills of Owen Terfehr, Vincent Schultz, Travon Harvey and Mathiason to gain access to the end zone through the air in the Cardinals’ win over Belle Plaine a week ago. Long also scored on a keeper, while teammate Dakota Wiley produced a career-high 89 yards on 21 carries to top the ground game.
“It’s the next-to-last regular-season game before we run the gauntlet by closing out that stretch of four games over a 15-day span – that’s a grind,” Mahoney said in reference to an Education Minnesota Week clash at St. Peter on Wednesday, Oct. 15, followed by potential Section 3AAA playoff games on Oct. 21 and 25. “Last week we played with energy and focus, and we need to keep that internal motivation going in a positive direction.”
STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT CARDINALS
Offense
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-0, 155, Senior
FB: #28 Macklain Anderson, 5-10, 206, Senior
RB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Senior
LT: #77 DJ Miller, 6-4, 250, Senior
LG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 235, Senior
RG: #69 Luther Malo, 6-0, 215, Sophomore
RT: #50 Reed Johnson, 6-4, 195, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Junior
WR: #11 Travon Harvey, 6-2, 145, Junior
WR: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-1, 175, Junior
Defense
E: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 200, Sophomore
T: #77 Miller
NG: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-0, 270, Senior
T: #52 T. Bicknase
E: #4 Nolan Anderson, 6-5, 220, Senior
LB: #31 Aaron Becker, 6-1, 200, Freshman
LB: #45 Tumbleson
CB: #11 Travon Harvey
CB: #2 Dakota Wiley, 6-0, 155, Senior
S: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-7, 145, Junior
S: #6 Terfehr
TCU TITANS
Offense
QB: #12 Kellen Jirik, 6-2, 170, Junior
RB: #9 Nathan Blaschko, 6-0, 180, Senior
FL: #4 Keegan O’Meara, 5-8, 155, Junior
LT: #62 Carter Beulke, 6-4, 205, Senior
LG: #52 Karson Malecha, 5-9, 185, Senior
C: #76 Kale Tisdel, 6-1, 250, Freshman
RG: #75 Matthew Farr, 6-1, 300, Junior
RT: #51 Julian Hanson, 6-3, 200, Senior
WR: #26 Parker O’Malley, 6-0, 185, Junior
WR: #11 Eian O’Keefe, 6-1, 160, Senior
FL: #8 Brody Factor, 5-11, 170, Junior
Defense
E: #62 Beulke
T: #54 Triston Olson, 6-0, 200, Senior
T: #52 Malecha
E: #16 Ryan Dahlke, 6-2, 180, Junior
OLB: #25 Toren Kelly, 6-0, 195, Junior
ILB: #3 Tucker Skluzacek, 5-11, 170, Junior
ILB: #26 O’Malley
OLB: #9 Blaschko
CB: #12 Jirik
CB: #28 Abram Chimal, 5-5, 155, Senior
S: #4 O’Meara
Week 6 Recap - Cardinals 35, Tigers 0
Long passes Fairmont to Homecoming victory
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – Joe Long wasn’t in the running for Homecoming king, but Fairmont’s senior quarterback reigned supreme during the Cardinals’ 35-0 triumph over Section 3AAA and Southeast Central Red District foe Belle Plaine on Friday night.
Long generated 161 yards and four touchdowns through the air and added a plunging 1-yard TD keeper on the ground, while the Cardinal defense pitched a shutout by limiting the Tigers to only 82 total yards of offense at Thomas Mahoney Field in Fairmont.
“We have a saying around Fairmont football this season, ‘Joe Long’s the man,’” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney. “He sure was tonight – again – being involved in all five of our touchdowns.
“Offensively, we steadily moved the football up and down the field and advanced the (first-down) markers, while defensively we shut down both their passing game (24 yards) and ground game (58 yards).
“Overall, we turned in the type of game we needed to get back on course.”
After defensive ends Nolan Anderson and Tyler Bicknase tipped back-to-back passes by Belle Plaine quarterback Reed Creighton to create incompletions during the Tigers’ initial possession, Brayden Williamson returned the ensuing punt 15 yards to the visitors’ 40-yard line.
Long converted a third-and-6 situation by zipping an 11-yard swing pass to Dakota Wiley, Wiley rushed for nine of his game-best 89 yards and Long rifled a 6-yard scoring strike to Owen Terfehr to march the Cardinals onto the scoreboard. Vincent Schultz then caught Long’s faked PAT kick-turned 2-point pass for an 8-0 lead with 3:16 to go in the opening quarter.
Both defenses held their respective ground for two series before Wiley’s slash-and-dash rushing skills proved a lethal combination with Long’s spiral attack. Wiley netted 27 of Fairmont’s ensuing 29 yards on the ground, while Long fired a 13-yard out and another 14-yard pass to Terfehr before capping the 11-play, 66-yard drive with a 10-yard TD toss to Schultz. Long kicked the PAT for a 15-0 lead with 3:49 left before intermission.
Lineman Mathew Martin and the Cardinals’ defense slammed the brakes on the Tigers’ fourth-and-2 draw play for a 1-yard loss to regain possession of the football with 1:40 to go before intermission.
Long scrambled out of trouble in the pocket for 8 yards and later unleashed a 45-yard strike to Terfehr, who reached the Belle Plaine 3. Two plays later, Long delivered a 4-yard spiral to Travon Harvey and then kicked the extra point for a 22-0 lead with just 40 seconds to go in the first half.
After both the Cardinals and Tigers forced punting situations to open the third segment, Williamson’s 12-yard punt return and accompanying 15-yard personal foul penalty on Belle Plaine put Fairmont in business at the visitors’ 42.
A roughing-the-QB penalty on Belle Plaine and Wiley’s 13-yard run eventually set up Long’s 1-yard keeper behind a Fairmont offensive avalanche in the trenches. Long booted the PAT for a 29-0 margin with 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Tyler Bicknase, Preston Geerdes and Benet Mathiason each recorded QB sacks during the next two defensive series to force one last punt by the Tigers. Fairmont consumed 7 of nearly 8 minutes remaining in regulation on the next 73-yard march, with Mathiason garnering a 7-yard screen pass for a TD with 48 seconds to go.
Terfehr caught a game-best six passes for 108 yards and one score for the Cardinals.
Fairmont (4-2) travels to Montgomery next Friday (Oct. 10) to face Tri-City United in a 7 PM kickoff, while Belle Plaine (2-4) plays host to Worthington during Week 7.
Belle Plaine 0- 0-0-0 – 0
Fairmont 8-14-7-6–35
SCORING PLAYS
1st Quarter
FMT: Owen Terfehr 6 pass from Joe Long (Vincent Schultz pass from Joe Long), 3:16.
2nd Quarter
FMT: Vincent Schultz 10 pass from Joe Long (Joe Long kick), 3:49.
FMT: Travon Harvey 4 pass from Joe Long (Joe Long kick), 0:40.
3rd Quarter
FMT: Joe Long 1 run (Joe Long kick), 2:00.
4th Quarter
FMT: Benet Mathiason 7 pass from Joe Long (kick failed), 0:48.
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Fairmont 18; Belle Plaine 4. Rushing: Fairmont 42-153; Belle Plaine 18-58. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 13-21-0-161; Belle Plaine 7-20-0-24. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 2-1; Belle Plaine 3-0. Penalties: Fairmont 4-25; Belle Plaine 6-66.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Offense: Rushing: Dakota Wiley (FMT) 21-89, Ty Tumbleson (FMT) 15-48; Boden Siegle (BP) 12-32. Passing: Joe Long (FMT) 13-21-0-161; Reed Creighton (BP) 7-20-0-24. Receiving: Owen Terfehr (FMT) 6-108, Vincent Schultz (FMT) 2-15, Dakota Wiley (FMT) 1-11, Jordan Thompson (FMT) 1-11; Joseph Petersen (BP) 1-11.
Defense: Fumble Recovery: Walker Koepp (BP)
Card to Watch - Week 6 Preview
No. 2 Dakota Wiley, Senior: RB/C
Fairmont hosts Belle Plaine for Homecoming
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – After losing two-way starter Tavian Harvey to injuries and the Fairmont football team finishing on the short end of a 29-24 outcome in Albert Lea last Friday night, this week’s celebratory Homecoming week seems a bit bittersweet despite the school district’s academic and athletic successes throughout the first month.
“It’s the question that’s been on everyone’s mind, and the answer is that Tavian is out indefinitely at this time,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney, whose Cardinals (3-2) play host to the Belle Plaine Tigers (2-3) in another pivotal Section 3AAA gridiron clash at 7 PM Friday night (Oct. 3) at Thomas Mahoney Field in Fairmont. “Until he gets medical clearance, he’s on the shelf for now.
“Losing a player who’s been a key contributor for two seasons is both a physical and emotional blow for our team, but we’ll rally behind him for the rest of the season.”
Tavian Harvey suffered two injuries during a sideline scrum while trying to recover Albert Lea’s kickoff into ‘free-ball territory’ before being taken off the field via an ambulance.
Ironically, Mat Mahoney will fill Tavian Harvey’s void on both offense and defense with junior Travon Harvey – Tavian’s younger sibling. Travon Harvey, who displayed his skills by pocketing two interceptions at Albert Lea’s expense, will double his brother’s jersey number of No. 1 with his own 11 at wide receiver and in the defensive secondary.
“Even though Belle Plaine has a number of standout athletes, we just need to focus on Fairmont this week,” said Mahoney. “We improved a lot by halving our penalties last Friday night, but we did not control the line of scrimmage against Albert Lea and that’s been an aspect of the game that we’ve hung our hats on over the past 5 years or so.
“Belle Plaine can throw the football, so we’d better be focused on our assignments and be ready to lock up in the trenches.”
Sophomore quarterback Reed Creighton tossed three touchdowns to Joseph Petersen to pace Belle Plaine’s 25-12 victory over Tri-City United during Week 3, while Creighton zipped scoring strikes to Petersen and Boden Siegle to complement Siegle’s rushing TD to highlight the Tigers’ 27-14 triumph over New Ulm during Week 4.
“(Head coach) Dave Frisell will go either four wide (receivers), two and two or three and one. He’s creative and will use every possible formation to gain yards through the air,” said Mahoney. “Belle Plaine also has a pair of linemen on both sides of the line of scrimmage who are the real deal, too.”
Mahoney noted the blocking abilities and tackling skills of left offensive tackle Ayden Volek – a 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior – and right guard Walker Koepp – a 6-2, 215-pound senior. Both players utilize their strength, speed and agility at opposite ends in the Tigers’ defensive front four.
“We’re going to need our guys to step up. We can’t rely on (quarterback) Joe Long to deliver 100-plus-yard performances in both rushing and passing, along with four total touchdowns, by himself again this week,” said Mahoney.
One bonus for the Cardinals last Friday night, however, centered around the elevated play of senior split end Merritt Pomerenke, who made a team-leading four receptions for 102 yards and his first TD of the fall campaign.
“Our receivers need to be locked on the same wave length with Joe to get our passing game in order to open up our running game a little better,” said Mahoney. "Merritt had a career game last week, why not again? Or a couple of our other guys step up and do likewise."
Fairmont is currently sitting No. 4 in QRF's Section 3AAA standings, with Belle Plaine at No. 5.
"It's a huge sectional game from a potential playoff perspective," said Mahoney.
**
STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT CARDINALS
Offense
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-0, 155, Senior
FB: #28 Macklain Anderson, 5-10, 206, Senior
RB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Senior
LT: #77 DJ Miller, 6-4, 250, Senior
LG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 235, Senior
RG: #69 Luther Malo, 6-0, 215, Sophomore
RT: #50 Reed Johnson, 6-4, 195, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Junior
WR: #11 Travon Harvey, 6-2, 145, Junior
WR: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-1, 175, Junior
Defense
E: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 200, Sophomore
T: #77 Miller
NG: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-0, 270, Senior
T: #52 T. Bicknase
E: #4 Nolan Anderson, 6-5, 220, Senior
LB: #31 Aaron Becker, 6-1, 200, Freshman
LB: #45 Tumbleson
CB: #11 Travon Harvey
CB: #2 Dakota Wiley, 6-0, 155, Senior
S: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-7, 145, Junior
S: #6 Terfehr
BELLE PLAINE TIGERS
Offense
QB: #12 Reed Creighton, 6-2, 175, Sophomore
RB: #7 Boden Siegle, 5-10, 165, Sophomore
WR: #22 Joseph Petersen, 6-4, 190, Senior
WR: #17 Landon Wadsley, 6-2, 185, Sophomore
LT: #51 Ayden Volek, 6-5, 215, Senior
LG: #59 Landon Leistiko, 5-10, 205, Senior
C: #65 Aaron Johnston, 6-2, 190, Sophomore
RG: #58 Walker Koepp, 6-2, 215, Senior
RT: #Will Posthumus, 6-3, 205, Sophomore
WR: #4 Mason Bungarden, 6-1, 200, Junior
WR: #14 Chaz Iovino, 5-9, 160, Junior
Defense
E: #51 Volek
T: #71 Posthumus
T: #66 Eli Tanguma, 5-11, 245, Senior
E: #58 Koepp
LB: #59 Leistiko
LB: #23 Luke Schultz, 5-9, 150, Junior
Nickel: #10 Isaac Williams, 5-11, 185, Senior
CB: #21 Evan Cahalan, 5-9, 155, Sophomore
CB: #2 Lewis Weyandt, 6-0, 155, Senior
S: #14 Iovino
S: #4 Bungarden
Week 5 Recap - Cardinals 24, Albert Lea 29
Tigers scratch Cardinals, 29-24
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
ALBERT LEA – Fairmont quarterback Joe Long provided enough gridiron heroics at Jim Gustafson Field on Friday night to fill two family scrapbooks. Unfortunately for the senior signal-caller, even his incredible four touchdowns and 285 yards of total offense could not prevent the Cardinals from falling 29-24 to the unbeaten hometown Tigers in Albert Lea.
“What a performance tonight by Joe Long,” Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney said in reference to his quarterback’s 107-yard, two-TD rushing effort and 178-yard, two-TD passing performance during Week 5’s clash. “He demonstrated his leadership and true value to this program when he broke a 59-yard touchdown run on the heels of a 45-minute game delay due to Tavian Harvey’s injury to swing a 24-22 lead to us with 10:22 remaining in regulation.
“With all of us experiencing a lot of emotion watching Tavian leave the field by ambulance, Joe stepped up and delivered a clutch momentum-seizing scoring play for us. Unfortunately, Albert Lea put together a time-consuming scoring drive after Joe’s big play and took the lead back with 2:49 to go in regulation.”
Trailing 15-12 at intermission, Travon Harvey’s second interception of the second half gave the Cardinals the football with 2:26 to go in the third quarter.
“A huge momentum-changing defensive play by Travon returned possession when we needed it, and then Joe and Merritt connect long distance to give us an 18-15 lead with time winding down in the third,” said Mahoney.
Long zipped a quick out pass to Pomerenke for 12 yards on first down, and one play later, flipped a swing pass to Pomerenke in motion. Pomerenke sprinted to beat the Tiger defenders to the edge and left nothing but a vapor trail to tackle en route to the go-ahead 75-yard TD at the 1:19 mark in the third.
Carter Conn, however, displayed his defensive skills to reverse the momentum back to Albert Lea two series later. The Winona State University football recruit picked off a Long pass that Tiger teammate Eddie Enser tipped and weaved his way 50 yards to Fairmont’s 15 to set up Breckyn Wacholz’s one-touch TD run up the middle. Isaiah Diaz kicked the PAT for a 22-18 lead with 10:32 left in the fourth quarter.
After Tavian Harvey was injured during the ensuing kickoff diving for the live football, Long needed only one snap to motor around left end and sprinted by the Albert Lea secondary for a 59-yard go-ahead 6-pointer. Wacholz blocked the PAT kick to keep the Tigers’ deficit to the Cardinals at 24-22 with 10:22 remaining.
“I thought we had the momentum at that point, but tip your hats to Albert Lea – they regained it by assembling a time-consuming scoring drive to retake the lead,” said Mahoney.
Quarterback Teaghan Tolbers and the Tigers assembled a clutch 14-play, 61-yard drive that eroded 7 ½ minutes off the scoreboard. Tolbers fired a key 12-yard crossing pattern to Noah Teeter on a third-and-2 situation to keep the drive alive before Wacholz and running back Federico Rivera combined for 32 yards to eventually reach Fairmont’s 8-yard line.
Wacholz later gained the 3 by dragging Fairmont defenders before Tolbers accelerated through a low gap in the line to score the go-ahead and eventual game-winning TD with 2:49 left in regulation.
Conn displayed his defensive prowess again by knocking away four of Long’s six passes down the stretch to regain possession for Albert Lea with only 59 seconds to go in regulation.
Albert Lea grabbed a quick 15-0 lead in the game when running back Charlie Irvine scored on a 1-yard run during the home team’s initial possession before a sack by Sam McGill and Jaxson Sargent forced a Fairmont punt that led to Conn making a 70-yard TD catch on a fade pass by Tolbers. Wacholz’s 2-point conversion pass to Teeter made it a 15-point game at the 5:50 mark of the first quarter.
Long’s 35-yard spiral to Tavian Harvey highlighted the Cardinals’ ensuing 72-yard scoring drive before the two senior standouts connected again on a 7-yard TD to slice the gap to 15-6 at the 11:05 juncture of the second period. Layton Yost intercepted the 2-point pass.
Brayden Williamson’s clutch interception later set up Fairmont’s 12-play, 75-yard offensive march that Long capped with a 1-yard scoring run with no time remaining in the first half. Long and Dakota Wiley combined 62 rushing yards before Long connected with Pomerenke on a 7-yard pass.
Fairmont (3-2) plays host to Belle Plaine at 7 PM Friday (Oct. 3) at Thomas Mahoney Field for Homecoming, while Albert Lea (5-0) plays host to St. Peter for its Homecoming.
**
Fairmont 0 12 6 6 – 24
Albert Lea 15 0 0 14 – 29
SCORING PLAYS
1st Quarter
AL: Charlie Irvine (Isaiah Diaz kick), 8:40.
AL: Carter Conn 70 pass from Teaghan Tolbers (Easton Schewe pass from Breckyn Wacholz), 5:50.
2nd Quarter
FMT: Tavian Harvey 7 pass from Joe Long (pass failed), 11:05.
FMT: Joe Long 1 run (kick failed), 0:00.
3rd Quarter
FMT: Merritt Pomerenke 75 pass from Joe Long (kick blocked), 1:19.
4th Quarter
AL: Breckyn Wacholz 15 run (Isaiah Diaz kick), 10:32.
FMT: Joe Long 59 run (kick blocked), 10:22.
AL: Teaghan Tolbers 3 run (Isaiah Diaz kick), 2:49.
**
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Albert Lea 15; Fairmont 13. Rushing: Fairmont 30-173; Albert Lea 39-163. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 12-21-1-178; Albert Lea 6-14-2-118. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 4-0; Albert Lea 4-0. Penalties: Fairmont 5-39; Albert Lea 3-29.
**
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Offense: Rushing: Joe Long (FMT) 16-107, Ty Tumbleson (FMT) 10-35, Dakota Wiley (FMT) 4-31; Breckyn Wacholz (AL) 9-61, Federico Rivera (AL) 14-46, Charlie Irvine (AL) 4-44. Passing: Joe Long (FMT) 12-21-1-178; Teaghan Tolbers (AL) 4-9-2-106, Breckyn Wacholz (AL) 2-5-1-12. Receiving: Merritt Pomerenke (FMT) 4-102, Tavian Harvey (FMT) 3-41; Carter Conn (AL) 1-70, Noah Teeter (AL) 3-36.
Defense: Interceptions: Travon Harvey (FMT) 2, Brayden Williamson (FMT) 1; Carter Conn (AL) 1.
Card to Watch - Week 5 Preview
No. 4 Nolan Anderson, Senior: TE/DE
Fairmont travels to Albert Lea for key section grid clash
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – A handful of Minnesota high school football writers and radio announcers are focused on Albert Lea’s perfect record midway through the regular season.
A select few prep sports reporters are contemplating Fairmont’s drop from the Class AAA state rankings despite generating a season’s-best 57-point performance during a Week 4 rout over Austin.
Cardinal mentor Mat Mahoney and Tiger head coach Paul Dunn, however, both have emphasized the importance of Friday night’s 7 PM clash of Southeast Central Red District rivals at Hammer Complex in Albert Lea from a playoff perspective.
“We were No. 10 in last week’s state poll and not ranked this week. It does not matter when we step onto the football field under the lights on Friday night,” said Mahoney, whose team enters the league and Section 3 game with a 3-1 overall record. “What matters the most is that it’s a section game, and since we already have a loss to Waseca, we don’t have any room for error during the next four outings.
“We have to keep winning if we want a chance at a first-round sectional home game, so as cliché as it sounds, we have to take them one at a time.”
Dunn took over Albert Lea’s football helm in 2020 after guiding the Springfield Tigers to a 125-72 overall record and four state appearances during his prior 18-year tenure at that school district. Ironically, Dunn has managed to flip Albert Lea’s script this fall by producing one more victory (4) than the Tigers had generated – 3-36 overall – since his school-debut, covid-shortened season five years ago.
“Coach Dunn showed his perseverance by battling through a couple of lean years in order to develop the juniors and seniors on this year’s team, and it’s paying off,” said Mahoney. “They are definitely improved, and have evolved into a well-oiled machine offensively.”
Albert Lea flattened Tri-City United in its season-opener 39-18, zipped Austin 65-0 during Week 2, edged New Ulm by a 17-14 margin in Week 3, while shutting out Worthington by a 42-0 decision last Friday night.
“They’re averaging almost 41 points per game and allowing just 8 from a defensive perspective through the first four games,” said Mahoney. “They have a good wide receiver (Carter Conn), who’s getting looks from Winona State; they’ve got a three-year starting quarterback in Teagan Tolbers; they have a receiver (Breckyn Wacholz) who filled in for Tolbers at QB when he got dinged up against New Ulm, and then threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more.
“Sam McGill also represents a guy who’s athletic (6-foot-5, 203 pounds) and does a good job for them at right tackle on offense and end on the defensive side of the ball.”
McGill recorded a game-best 11 tackles, including two QB sacks, and forced a fumble, while the 6-2, 183-pound Wacholz passed for 182 yards and added 87 more rushing in the Tigers’ rout over Worthington last Friday night. Layton Yost and Aidan Gonzales each supplied one interception for Albert Lea.
Tolbers completed 7 of 11 passes for 51 yards for Albert Lea, who watched Isaiah Diaz’s 42-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining in regulation clinched the Tigers’ 17-14 win over New Ulm during Week 3. Wacholz connected for 8 of 13 passes in relief for 99 yards, with Conn and Easton Schewe topping the receiving charts with four catches apiece.
Ironically, Conn and Charlie Irvine each crossed the goal line on 1-yard runs to help pace Albert Lea’s winning ways against New Ulm. Irvine finished with 97 rushing yards, while Wacholz chipped in 30 more.
While Albert Lea has tallied impressive numbers, area prep football fans know Fairmont has generated some stellar statistics of its own to fuel a 3-1 overall mark.
Quarterback Joe Long has completed 39 of 61 throws for 543 yards and 11 Tds for the Cardinals, utilizing 13 different receivers in four outings, with Tavian Harvey and Owen Terfehr topping the pass-catching charts. Harvey has a dozen receptions for 199 yards and four scores, while Terfehr has garnered nine passes for 173 yards and two Tds.
Ty Tumbleson packs punch from the backfield by tallying 349 yards and five Tds on 47 carries for Fairmont, while Tumbleson and Tavian Harvey represent two of the Cardinals’ three pick-6 interceptions on the season. Brayden Williamson paces Fairmont’s defensive secondary with two picks – including one returned for six points – while Mason Bicknase delivered a touchdown return via a fumble recovery against Austin last Saturday.
“Despite all the ‘big’ team and individual statistics, we really haven’t hit our stride yet this season,” said Mahoney. “I’d love to see us put together four solid quarters at Albert Lea on Friday night.”
##
STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT CARDINALS
Offense
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-0, 155, Senior
FB: #28 Macklain Anderson, 5-10, 206, Senior
RB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Senior
LT: #77 DJ Miller, 6-4, 250, Senior
LG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 235, Senior
RG: #69 Luther Malo, 6-0, 215, Sophomore
RT: #50 Reed Johnson, 6-4, 195, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Junior
WR: #1 Tavian Harvey, 5-11, 140, Senior
WR: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-1, 175, Junior
Defense
E: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 200, Sophomore
T: #77 Miller
NG: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-0, 270, Senior
T: #52 T. Bicknase
E: #4 Nolan Anderson, 6-5, 220, Senior
LB: #31 Aaron Becker, 6-1, 200, Freshman
LB: #45 Tumbleson
CB: #1 Tavian Harvey
CB: #2 Dakota Wiley, 6-0, 155, Senior
S: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-7, 145, Junior
S: #6 Terfehr
^^^
ALBERT LEA TIGERS
Offense
QB: #10 Teaghan Tolbers, 6-1, 190, Senior OR #9 Breckyn Wacholz, 6-2, 183, Junior
FB: #23 Charlie Irvine, 6-0, 189, Senior
TB: #7 Federico Rivera, 5-8, 160, Junior
FL: #1 Carter Conn, 6-2, 185, Senior
LT: #77 Isaiah Sevcik, 6-2, 280, Junior
LG: #52 Isaiah Diaz, 5-11, 195, Junior
C: #79 Aiden Breamer, 6-3, 280, Sophomore
RG: #72 Devin Distad, 6-0, 222, Junior
RT: #55 Sam McGill, 6-5, 203, Senior
TE: #8 Noah Teeter, 6-3, 190, Senior
WR: #12 Easton Schewe, 6-2, 160, Senior
Defense
E: #55 McGill
T: #54 Jaxson Sargent, 5-10, 190, Senior
T: #75 William Velazquez, 5-6, 240, Senior
E: #8 Teeter
OLB: #23 Irvine or #9 Wacholz
ILB: #44 Esteban Mixteco, 5-7, 170, Senior
ILB: #42 Peyton Earl, 6-2, 200, Senior
OLB: #1 Conn
CB: #2 Layton Yost, 5-11, 150, Senior
CB: #3 Eddie Enser, 5-11, 165, Junior
S: #12 Schewe
Week 4 Recap - Cardinals 57, Austin 13
Waseca edges Fairmont in clash of section titans, 21-14
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
AUSTIN – Lightning and an eventual downpour postponed Friday night’s prep football game at Art Hass Stadium, with Class AAA No. 10-ranked Fairmont holding a 16-0 lead over the host Packers with 8:31 remaining in the second quarter.
The Cardinals returned to Austin’s turf field Saturday and generated even more electricity than the storm 11 hours prior, zapping the Packers’ defense for touchdowns on three consecutive possessions before Fairmont’s defense strung together three more scores in a row via two pick-6s and a scoop-and-sprint fumble recovery during the initial 20 minutes.
Quarterback Joe Long produced a perfect 10-for-10 passing performance for game-bests of 225 yards and three Tds, running back Ty Tumbleson rushed for 120 yards and two more scores, while the Cardinals’ defense generated 18 points and held the Packers to a minus-36 yards on the ground to top a 57-13 rout.
“Offense – check. Defense – check. Special teams – check. We (coaching staff) couldn’t ask for any more from every one of our players today, but we need to do a better job in reducing the penalties we’re being flagged for,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney. “Ten penalties for 111 yards is not acceptable, so we’ll have to work on that this (upcoming) week.”
Tumbleson bounced a handoff around left end and outsprinted Austin’s secondary for a 48-yard TD during Fairmont’s initial offensive series Friday night before Long kicked the PAT at the 9:58 juncture.
After Fairmont lineman Mathew Martin’s flattening tackle in the backfield and Owen Terfehr’s quarterback sack forced an Austin punt, Aidan Swenson scooped up a Cardinal fumble at the Packers’ 8, but Austin could not advance the ball.
Vincent Schultz, Preston Geerdes and Reed Johnson literally each had a hand in blocking Austin’s punt out of the back of the end zone for a safety with 1:39 to go in the first quarter and a 9-0 lead. Long later hit Macklain Anderson on a 14-yarder to convert a fourth-and-2 situation on the Packers’ 46 before Long unleashed a perfect 33-yard scoring spiral to Travon Harvey. Long kicked the PAT for a 16-0 lead with 10:45 left in the second segment.
After Martin and Ethan Farnum rumbled over Austin quarterback Eli Arndt for an 8-yard sack, lightning forced both teams to exit the stadium before rain drenched the turf.
Long needed only three snaps to eventually deposit a 44-yard TD pass to Terfehr to kick off Saturday’s action before Long connected to Geerdes for the 2-point conversion and 24-0 lead with 7:12 left in the second quarter.
Tumbleson reeled off 11 yards, Brayden Williamson fired a 28-yard halfback option pass to Geerdes to reach the Austin 6 and Tumbleson maintained his balance to find his way into the end zone. Long kicked the PAT for a 31-0 lead at the 2:23 mark.
After another Austin three-and-out series, Long drilled a 35-yard strike to Tavian Harvey before capping the 56-yard short drive with a 9-yard TD pass to Macklain Anderson for a 37-0 margin with 45 seconds to go in the opening half.
Tavian Harvey displayed his multi-tasking skills by opening the third quarter with a 55-yard pick-6 interception return before Long nailed the extra point for a 44-0 lead with 10:59 left on the scoreboard. Two snaps later, Williamson stepped in front of an Arndt pass and returned it 35 yards for another TD and a 50-0 lead.
Fairmont defensive coordinator Brad Johnson’s alignment was not done, however, as Aaron Becker jarred loose the football and Mason Bicknase scooped up the fumble and ran 40 yards for six more points. Long’s kick made it 57-0 with 8:49 left in the third frame.
Arndt scored on a 2-yard keeper and also tossed a 57-yard TD pass to Michael Nyanneon during the running time-themed fourth quarter for the Packers. Arndt completed 16 of 31 passes for 215 yards, with Nyanneon making three catches for 103 yards.
Fairmont (3-1) travels to Albert Lea on Friday night (Sept. 26) to face the unbeaten Tigers (4-0) in a 7 PM kickoff.
##
Fairmont 9 28 20 0 – 57
Austin 0 0 0 13 – 13
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
FMT: Ty Tumbleson 48 run (Joe Long kick), 9:58.
FMT: Vincent Schultz, Preston Geerdes & Reed Johnson blocked punt out of end zone for safety, 1:39.
2nd Quarter
FMT: Travon Harvey 33 pass from Long (Long kick), 10:45.
FMT: Owen Terfehr 44 pass from Long (Geerdes pass from Long), 7:12.
FMT: Tumbleson 6 run (Long kick), 2:23.
FMT: Macklain Anderson 9 pass from Long (kick failed), 0:45.
3rd Quarter
FMT: Tavian Harvey 55 interception return (Long kick), 10:59.
FMT: Brayden Williamson 35 interception return (kick failed), 10:04.
FMT: Mason Bicknase 40 fumble return (Long kick), 8:49.
4th Quarter
AU: Eli Arndt 2 run (Matthew Oldenkamp kick), 5:40.
AU: Michael Nyanneon 57 pass from Arndt (kick failed), 1:15.
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Fairmont 12; Austin 11. Rushing: Fairmont 33-163; Austin 17 for minus-36. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 11-13-0-253; Austin 16-36-2-215. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 2-1; Austin 5-1. Penalties: Fairmont 10-111; Austin 3-27.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Offense: Rushing: Ty Tumbleson (FMT) 12-120, Keyon Schutz (FMT) 8-44. Passing: Joe Long (FMT) 10-10-0-225, Brayden Williamson (FMT) 1-1-0-28, Mason Bicknase (FMT) 0-2-0-0; Eli Arndt (AU) 16-31-2-215. Receiving: Fairmont: Tavian Harvey 3-98, Owen Terfehr 2-57, Macklain Anderson 2-23, Merritt Pomerenke 2-14, Travon Harvey 1-33, Preston Geerdes 1-28. Austin: Michael Nyanneon 3-103, Matthew Oldenkamp 2-29, Brayden Greene 1-27.
Defense: Interceptions: Tavian Harvey (FMT) Pick6, Brayden Williamson (FMT) Pick6. Fumble Recoveries: Aidan Swenson (AU); Mason Bicknase (FMT).
Card to Watch - Week 4 Preview
No. 73 Mathew Martin, Senior: OT/DT
No. 10 Fairmont football hits road to Austin
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – What will happen during Week 4 of the unpredictable Minnesota high school football season on Friday night?
Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney’s Class AAA No. 10-ranked Cardinals (2-1) make their first road trip of 2025 by venturing to Wescott Field in Austin to face the host Packers (1-2) in a 7 PM kickoff.
Ironically, Fairmont and Austin experienced reversals of fortunes during Week 3 after wide-margin point differentials during their respective first two games of the fall campaign.
The Cardinals combined to outscore Worthington and New Ulm by a 90-8 margin during the first two weeks before Mahoney’s red-and-white gridders lost to state-ranked and Section 3 rival Waseca (3-0) by a 21-14 score last Friday night in Fairmont.
North Dakota State University football commit Deron Russell returned the third-quarter kickoff 90 yards for a TD, running back Jordan Johnston broke a 76-yard scoring gallop, Kaden Garza delivered a game-tying quarterback sack for a safety and Johnston scored the game-winner on a 3-yard run last week.
Meanwhile, Austin head coach Ed Schmitt’s Packers kicked off the season by getting buried under an avalanche of points – 109-7 – in defeats to New Ulm and Albert Lea during Weeks 1 and 2, respectively. Austin, however, flipped the script last Friday night by edging Worthington by a 14-13 decision to end the Packers’ 17-game losing skid.
Sophomore quarterback Eli Arndt completed touchdown passes of 9 and 27 yards, respectively, to receiver Jamison Bastyr to help pace Austin’s one-point triumph. Arndt demonstrated his arm strength and accuracy by connecting on 15 of 19 passes for 147 yards and the two scores.
“First three weeks of this season – throw them out the window for both us and Austin,” said Mahoney. “You have to take care of business each and every week, and you can’t rest on your laurels.
“We (coaching staff) had our captains look at our goals during this week’s practice and figure out how to clean up our mistakes.”
Mahoney said offensively, Austin will spread the field with four receivers and look to gain an advantage by trying to find any seams in the defensive coverage. Ironically, Bastyr – last week’s TD-scoring hero – officially does not start for the Packers, but is a key weapon in the revolving-door receiver rotation.
“We need to clean up our pass coverage with just a little adjustment here and there, and we’ll be OK,” said Mahoney. “Austin does use a variety of options via the pass, so we’ll have to stick to our assignments, and (defensive coordinator) Brad (Johnson) will have them ready.”
Oddly, Fairmont offensive coordinator Brian Wille will face a rare 4-2-5 defensive scheme incorporated by Austin, with 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior Tyler Carter filling the vital role as a “monster” or “rover” in the Packer’s nickel-package secondary. Carter also rotates into Austin’s offensive receiving mix.
“We’ve been working on some stuff to hopefully counter their nickel (defense) this week,” said Mahoney. “(Quarterback) Joe (Long) has been consistent for us during all three games, but he hasn’t had that big break-out game – yet. He threw for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Tavian (Harvey) against Waseca, so we’re looking to get our air attack going again.”
Ty Tumbleson will be the regular No. 1 running back in the Cardinals’ offensive scheme after the team learned of senior co-captain Cole Brockmann’s status after missing Week 3’s entire game.
“It’s always difficult when, as a coach, you see a young man like Cole put that much work into the offseason and then, unfortunately, his season is over,” said Mahoney. “He looked great in our opener, but went down early in Week 2 with a knee injury that will sideline him for the rest of our games.
“Hopefully, some of our younger guys can step up and help carry some of our rushing responsibilities along with Ty.”
STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT CARDINALS
Offense
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-0, 155, Senior
FB: #28 Macklain Anderson, 5-10, 206, Senior
RB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Senior
LT: #77 DJ Miller, 6-4, 250, Senior
LG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 235, Senior
RG: #69 Luther Malo, 6-0, 215, Sophomore
RT: #50 Reed Johnson, 6-4, 195, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Junior
WR: #1 Tavian Harvey, 5-11, 140, Senior
WR: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-1, 175, Junior
Defense
E: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 200, Sophomore
T: #77 Miller
NG: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-0, 270, Senior
T: #52 T. Bicknase
E: #4 Nolan Anderson, 6-5, 220, Senior
LB: #31 Aaron Becker, 6-1, 200, Freshman
LB: #45 Tumbleson
CB: #1 Tavian Harvey
CB: #2 Dakota Wiley, 6-0, 155, Senior
S: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-7, 145, Junior
S: #6 Terfehr
^^^
AUSTIN PACKERS
Offense
QB: #16 Eli Arndt, Sophomore
RB: #24 Aiden Swenson, Junior
WR: #3 Isaac Mayen, Senior
LT: #51 Robert Lillis, Senior
LG: #77 Terrell Brown, Junior
C: #70 William Jurisch, Junior
RG: #74 Aiden Sehon, Senior
RT: #58 Jayden Rochat, Senior
WR: #0 Laythan Stenzel, Senior
WR: #13 Tyler Carter, Senior
WR: #20 Zane Thoma, Junior
Defense
E: #51 Lillis
T: #77 Brown
T: #19 Christian Ortiz Garcia, Junior
E: #27 Jake O’Harra, Junior
LB: #5 Lukas Jorgenson, Junior
LB: #24 Swenson
Nickel: #13 Carter
CB: #0 Stenzel
CB: #9 Santiago Jimenez Bocanegra, Senior
S: #20 Thoma
S: #8 Dax Boverhuis, Junior
Week 3 Recap - Waseca 21, Cardinals 14
Waseca edges Fairmont in clash of section titans, 21-14
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – The Star Tribune’s high school football game of the week in the state and the regular-season clash of Section 3, Class AAA titans left prep fans on the edge of the bleachers at Thomas Mahoney Field on Friday night.
Waseca defensive lineman Kaden Garza’s pivotal quarterback sack for a game-tying safety and running back Jordan Johnston’s ensuing series-capping 3-yard touchdown run closed out the Bluejays’ 21-point third quarter and an eventual 21-14 victory over the Fairmont Cardinals in Fairmont.
“It’s simple math – Waseca made three big plays and we only came up with two. That’s the difference in the game,” said Fairmont head coach Mat Mahoney. “Two programs who are evenly matched played a great game tonight, and we just happened to come out on the short side of the scoreboard.
“Hopefully, we’ll get the chance to play Waseca again in the playoffs.”
Fairmont capitalized on the only turnover of the first half to carry a 7-0 lead into the lockerroom at intermission. After defensive end Nolan Anderson scooped up a Bluejay fumble at the Cardinals’ 13-yard line, quarterback Joe Long engineered Fairmont’s 15-play, 87-yard scoring drive.
Long, who completed 11 of 19 passes for 127 yards and two scores, zipped a clutch 22-yarder to Owen Terfehr to convert a third-and-8 situation for the Cardinals. After Garza delivered one of his game-best four sacks to set Fairmont back 4 yards, Long spotted Merritt Pomerenke for a key 13-yarder to keep the first-down markers moving forward.
A pass interference penalty on Waseca’s coverage of Tavian Harvey maintained the drive before Fairmont running back Ty Tumbleson weaved his way for 12 yards and another first down. Despite a 12-yard sack by Garza and Brady McKenna, Long utilized his shifty speed to reel off a 20-yard gain to reach the Bluejays’ 17.
Long converted a fourth-and-8 situation by lofting a 17-yarder to Brayden Williamson before threading a spiral to Preston Geerdes for a 17-yard TD. Long kicked the PAT for a 7-0 lead with 4:05 left in the opening half.
Defensive tackle Mathew Martin’s pivotal 7-yard sack and Terfehr’s tipped pass on fourth-and-15 helped Fairmont thwart Waseca’s potential late first-half heroics and kept the game at 7-0 by the break.
Deron Russell then proved why he will be playing college football next fall as the North Dakota State commit delivered the momentum-shifting play that Waseca needed to open the third quarter. Russell sprinted along the Bluejays’ sideline, broke tackles and outsprinted the Cardinals’ coverage 90 yards to paydirt to inch Waseca within 7-6. Tumbleson blocked Owen Rupe’s PAT kick to keep the differential at 1 point with 11:46 on the scoreboard.
Tavian Harvey displayed his mettle by countering for Fairmont with a 32-yard kickoff return to the 47. A Waseca roughing-the-passer penalty, Tumbleson’s 10-yard run and Long’s 22-yard crossing pass to Harvey for a TD extended the Cardinals’ margin. Long kicked the PAT for a 14-6 lead with 9:02 left in the third segment.
Despite Martin’s 10-yard QB sack on first down, Waseca answered when Jordan Johnston picked up a seal block around left end and sprinted 76 yards for a TD to inch the visitors within 2. Kellen Klinger’s 2-point conversion pass fell short to keep the Bluejays’ deficit at 14-12 with 7:57 to go in the third.
Both defenses forced respective punts, with Deven Parpart’s kick later pinning Fairmont at its own 1 after being downed by Waseca’s coverage unit. Garza delivered the 2-point safety with a sack in the end zone to knot the game at 14-all.
Waseca then took the ensuing free kick and assembled an eight-play, 44-yard scoring drive to grab a seven-point lead. Klinger hit Russell on a pair of 7-yard completions, Johnston gained 11 yards on a run, Klinger added a 10-yard keeper to reach the 3 and Johnston covered the remaining distance for his second TD of the game. Rupe kicked the PAT for a 21-14 lead with 56 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Neither offense was able to score in the fourth quarter, with Waseca exiting Mahoney Field with the key sectional victory.
Johnston amassed a game-best 143 yards and two Tds on 12 carries, while Klinger contributed 77 more on 21 totes for Waseca.
Fairmont (2-1) travels to Austin on Friday night (Sept. 19) for a 7 PM game, while Waseca (3-0) plays host to Central (Norwood Young America).
Waseca 0 0 21 0 – 21
Fairmont 0 7 7 0 – 14
SCORING PLAYS
1st Quarter
No Scoring.
2nd Quarter
FMT: Preston Geerdes 17 pass from Joe Long (Joe Long kick), 4:05.
3rd Quarter
WAS: Deron Russell 90 kickoff return (kick failed), 11:46.
FMT: Tavian Harvey 22 pass from Joe Long (Joe Long kick), 9:02.
WAS: Jordan Johnston 76 run (pass failed), 7:57.
WAS: Kaden Garza QB sack for safety, 4:01.
WAS: Johnston 3 run (Owen Rupe kick), 0:56.
4th Quarter
No Scoring.
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Waseca 14; Fairmont 12. Rushing: Waseca 34-220; Fairmont 31-55. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 11-19-0-127; Waseca 8-17-0-30. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 0-0; Waseca 1-1. Penalties: Waseca 7-88; Fairmont 6-66.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Offense: Rushing: Jordan Johnston (WAS) 12-143, Kellen Klinger (WAS) 21-77; Ty Tumbleson (FMT) 17-45. Passing: Joe Long (FMT) 11-19-0-127; Kellen Klinger (WAS) 8-17-0-30. Receiving: Owen Terfehr (FMT) 3-35, Merritt Pomerenke (FMT) 3-47, Preston Geerdes (FMT) 2-12, Tavian Harvey (FMT) 1-22, Brayden Williamson (FMT) 1-17; Deron Russell (WAS) 4-11, Jonah Worke (WAS) 1-10.
Defense: Fumble Recovery: Nolan Anderson (FMT). Quarterback Sacks: Kaden Garza (WAS) 4-31; Mathew Martin (FMT) 2-17.
Card to Watch - Week 3 Preview
No. 54 Jacob Ehlert, Senior: Center
Fairmont, Waseca to clash in Week 3 grid showdown
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – The Rivals’ online site has the Waseca Bluejays ranked as the 24th-best football team in its all-inclusive Minnesota prep weekly poll, while the Fairmont Cardinals hold the No. 26 spot prior to Friday night’s 7 PM Week 3 showdown at Thomas Mahoney Field in Fairmont.
Incredibly, Massey Ratings online sports services has the pair of Section 3, Class AAA rivals reversed in their online high school rankings, with the Cardinals holding No. 25 and the Bluejays netting No. 27. Massey Ratings has gone as far as predicting Fairmont winning by a narrow 27-20 score.
“The magnitude of our game with Fairmont really affects the seedings for the sectional playoffs at the end of the regular season, but that’s not our focus this early on,” said Waseca head coach Brad Wendland, whose team has compiled a 2-0 record via a down-to-the-wire 7-6 Week 1 win over St. Peter and a 37-6 triumph over Belle Plaine last Friday night. “We need to continue to work on all three phases of the game, and figure out our identity as a whole.”
Jordan Johnston, Owen Rupe and Toby Jeske proved the heroes behind Waseca’s one-point win over St. Peter during the 2025 kickoff, with an assist going to North Dakota State University football commit Deron Russell two weeks ago.
Battling in a scoreless deadlock, Johnston faked a reverse handoff to the fleet-footed Russell – who had returned an earlier punt deep into St. Peter territory before Waseca’s drive stalled – but kept the football and sprinted 69 yards for a touchdown. Rupe kicked the extra point to stake the Bluejays to a 7-0 lead with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter.
Jeske, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound sophomore, later sacked St. Peter quarterback Alex Korir at Waseca’s 12-yard line with 10 seconds remaining to set up a fourth-and-goal play. Korir delivered the TD toss to Ryan Moelter, but Waseca denied the ensuing 2-point conversion to garner the win.
“Jordan’s coming off back-to-back seasons of torn ACLs (anterior cruciate ligaments), and has overcome a lot of adversity, so it’s nice for him to deliver when the opportunity presented itself,” Wendland said in reference to his 5-9, 190-pound senior running back. “As for Deron, he’s such a versatile weapon, but more importantly, he’s a great leader and sets the tone for our team. He’s the kind of person everyone wants to follow and be like.
“Deron is a great young man who happens to be very good at the game of football.”
Russell and Johnston – along with sophomore quarterback Kellen Klinger – then engineered Waseca’s 31-point Week 2 win over Belle Plaine. Johnston gained a game-best 122 rushing yards and three Tds, while Russell pocketed both of Klinger’s scoring spirals. Klinger and the Bluejays amassed 217 passing yards and 208 more on the ground, while Jeske and the defense limited Belle Plaine to 90 yards through the air, but overwhelmed the Tigers’ running game by smothering it for a minus-11 yards.
Mahoney and the Cardinals are cognizant of Russell, Johnston and Klinger after analyzing video footage of their first two games.
“Waseca possesses one of the best athletes in the state of Minnesota in Deron Russell,” said Mahoney. “He’s athletic and reads the field well, so we’ll need to know where he’s at this Friday night in all three aspects of the game.
“Johnston is quick and runs hard, so we’ll have to make sure to wrap him up, while our big boys upfront will need to apply pressure to Klinger and hopefully create some turnovers.”
The Cardinals utilized that formula to coast to a 43-8 rout over New Ulm last Friday night. Ty Tumbleson pocketed a pick-6 to top Fairmont’s four-interception performance, with teammates Aaron Becker, Owen Terfehr and Dakota Wiley also contributing takeaways through the air.
Tumbleson also filled in for the injured Cole Brockmann out of Fairmont’s backfield and reeled off a career-best 181 rushing yards and two more Tds, while quarterback Joe Long tossed three more scoring spirals – including two to Tavian Harvey and one to Terfehr.
“Cole is injured, but we won’t know the extent of it until he has an MRI and a doctor’s evaluation,” said Mahoney. “His absence on the field definitely affects our depth. You hate to lose a senior co-captain’s leadership, but also his physicality on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
“We’ll probably go with Ty (Tumbleson) starting both ways and start (freshman) Aaron Becker at linebacker.”
If Brockmann sits out Friday night’s key battle of sectional foes, Mahoney will look to a number of his younger players and seasoned veterans to fill the void.
“Even though it’s only Week 3, anytime you square off against your (Southeast Red) district and section rival, you have a big opportunity to help yourself down the road in the playoffs,” said Mahoney. “This is the type of game you play for and why you train so hard during the offseason and in practice.”
STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT CARDINALS
Offense
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-0, 155, Senior
FB: #28 Macklain Anderson, 5-10, 206, Senior
RB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Senior
LT: #77 DJ Miller, 6-4, 250, Senior
LG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 235, Senior
RG: #56 Ryan Szafryk, 5-8, 260, Senior
RT: #50 Reed Johnson, 6-4, 195, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Junior
WR: #1 Tavian Harvey, 5-11, 140, Senior
WR: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-1, 175, Junior
Defense
E: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 200, Sophomore
T: #77 Miller
NG: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-0, 270, Senior
T: #52 T. Bicknase
E: #4 Nolan Anderson, 6-5, 220, Senior
LB: #31 Aaron Becker, 6-1, 200, Freshman
LB: #45 Tumbleson
CB: #1 Tavian Harvey
CB: #2 Dakota Wiley, 6-0, 155, Senior
S: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-7, 145, Junior
S: #6 Terfehr
WASECA BLUEJAYS
Offense
QB: #15 Kellen Klinger, 6-0, 195, Sophomore
RB: #2 Jordan Johnston, 5-9, 190, Senior
WR: #21 Jonah Worke, 5-10, 155, Junior
LT: #72 Brandon Bartz, 6-3, 245, Junior
LG: #76 Trey Jenzen, 5-11, 220, Junior
C: #73 Nathan Kaiser, 6-0, 295, Senior
RG: #55 Lucas Selthun, 5-11, 205, Senior
RT: #63 Aidan DeRaad, 5-11, 220, Sophomore
TE: #33 Owen Rupe, 6-0, 180, Junior
WR: #1 Cyrett Long, 5-10, 170, Senior
WR: #7 Deron Russell, 6-1, 175, Senior
Defense
E: #58 Brady McKenna, 5-10, 205, Junior
NG: #54 Matthew Veroeven, 6-0, 240, Senior
E: #56 Kaden Garza, 6-3, 255, Senior
OLB: #6 William Mansfield, 6-1, 175, Senior
MLB: #22 Kallen Glynn, 5-10, 170, Junior
MLB: #52 Julius Oviedo, 6-0, 205, Senior
OLB: #31 Toby Jeske, 6-4, 205, Sophomore
CB: #1 Long
CB: #4 Malachi Noble, 6-1, 175, Senior
S: #7 Russell
S: #30 Jacob Root, 5-10, 160, Senior
Week 2 Recap - Cardinals 43, New Ulm 8
No. 3 Fairmont intercepts 43-8 victory
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – Relentless pass rushers, a sure-handed secondary, a grinding ground game and a touchdown-tossing quarterback proved the main cogs in Fairmont’s big red train steamrolling its way to a 43-8 Southeast Red District football rout over the New Ulm Eagles on Friday night.
Ty Tumbleson amassed a career-best 181 yards and two touchdowns on only 16 carries to complement his 5-yard pick-6 defensive gem, Joe Long threw for 108 yards and three scores, while Owen Terfehr produced his second consecutive game of one interception and one TD catch for the Class AAA No. 3-ranked Cardinals at Thomas Mahoney Field in Fairmont during Week 2.
“So many players contributed to the win tonight, but I’d have to start by giving credit to our defensive linemen and blitzing linebackers,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney, whose lineup generated a 389-106 edge in total yards over New Ulm in the clash of opening-week winners. “They applied so much pressure to New Ulm’s quarterback (Owen Castleman) and our defensive backs benefitted from the altered and/or tipped throws.”
Mahoney’s post-game analysis hit the target like one of Long’s two touchdown strikes to Tavian Harvey as Dakota Wiley, Aaron Becker and Tumbleson pocketed interceptions to thwart the Eagles’ initial three possessions of the game.
“I can’t recall a game in which we made three picks during our first three defensive series,” said Mahoney, whose team finished with four interceptions overall.
After a delay penalty, New Ulm called a halfback option pass on its first-down play to open the game, with Wiley leaping to snag the under-thrown toss at the Eagles’ 36-yard line. Tumbleson needed just three handoffs to hit paydirt, with his series-capping TD coming on a 22-yard burst of speed over the right side. Joe Long kicked his lone PAT of the night for a 7-0 lead at the 7:11 mark.
With defensive linemen Mathew Martin, Tyler Bicknase and DJ Miller turning up the heat in the New Ulm backfield, Becker corraled a wobbly pass after Martin hit Castleman and returned the pick-off to the visitors’ 28.
Fairmont’s offense was unable to convert the field position into points, but trapped New Ulm’s offense at its own 1. Becker hit Castleman’s arm as he tossed the football and the pass landed in Tumbleson’s capable hands before the Cardinal linebacker covered the 5-yard distance to the end zone for a pick-6 and 13-0 lead with 40 seconds to go in the first frame.
Tyler Bicknase’s cover-sack of Castleman, who had to smother a loose high snap over his head, on fourth-and-4 regained the possession for Fairmont at the New Ulm 41. Long zipped back-to-back 3-yarders to Tavian Harvey before a roughing the passer infraction moved the football to the 21. Long threaded the needle on his 21-yard spiral to a crossing Tavian Harvey for six more points with 8:39 left in the second quarter.
Becker and Bicknase’s relentless pursuit of Castleman generated back-to-back sacks to eventually regain the football via downs at the Fairmont 36. A pass interference penalty against New Ulm, a pair of Tumbleson 10-yard runs, Long’s 26-yard scramble and Long’s second TD toss to Tavian Harvey – this time from 29 yards out – staked the Cardinals to a 25-0 halftime lead.
More Martin, Bicknase and Becker belting out the hits on the Eagle runners out of the backfield forced a New Ulm punt to open the third quarter. Keyon Schutz and Tumbleson packed a lethal 1-2 rushing punch to ignite a time-consuming 16-play, 65-yard scoring march before Long rifled a 15-yard TD spiral to Terfehr for a 31-0 margin with 1:48 left in the third.
Ironically, New Ulm inserted Jeffrey Kral into the backfield and the junior running back reeled of 68 of his team-best 75 rushing yards to spoil Fairmont’s shutout bid. Kral slashed across the left side of the line and sprinted into the end zone from 21 yards out for six points. Castleman followed with a QB keeper for two more Eagle points.
Tumbleson, however, answered the challenge in a matter of seconds by taking the handoff around right end, shifted into high gear and sped by the Eagles’ secondary for a 69-yard TD en route to a 37-8 lead late in the third quarter.
Back-to-back Becker sacks, followed by Terfehr’s interception, later returned possession to Fairmont at the New Ulm 39. Reserve QB Mason Bicknase fired a 14-yard completion to Dayton Draper to later gain the Eagles’ 12. Bicknase then scored on a 4-yard drive-and-drag-defenders keeper to close out the scoring at 43-8 with 5:37 remaining.
Tavian Harvey made five catches for 53 yards and two Tds for the Cardinals, while Terfehr pocketed two passes for 49 yards and a score.
Fairmont (2-0) plays host to Waseca next Friday night (Sept. 12) at Thomas Mahoney Field in Fairmont again.
New Ulm 0 0 0 0 -- 8
Fairmont 13 12 12 6 – 43
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
FMT: Ty Tumbleson 22 run (Joe Long kick), 7:11.
FMT: Tumbleson 5 interception return (kick failed), 0:40.
2nd Quarter
FMT: Tavian Harvey 21 pass from Long (kick failed), 8:39.
FMT: Tavian Harvey 29 pass from Long (kick failed), 0:38.
3rd Quarter
FMT: Owen Terfehr 15 pass from Long (kick failed), 1:48.
NU: Jeffrey Kral 21 run (Owen Castleman run), 0:47.
FMT: Tumbleson 69 run (kick failed), 0:20.
4th Quarter
FMT: Mason Bicknase 4 run (kick failed), 5:37.
TEAM STATISTICS
First downs: Fairmont 14; New Ulm 6. Rushing: Fairmont 41-267; New Ulm 29-88. Passing: Fairmont 10-17-0-122; New Ulm 3-13-4-18. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 1-0; New Ulm 3-0. Penalties: Fairmont 7-35; New Ulm 5-44.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Offense: Rushing: Tumbleson (FMT) 16-181; Kral (NU) 3-75. Passing: Long (FMT) 9-16-0-108, M. Bicknase (FMT) 1-1-0-14; Castleman (NU) 3-10-3-8. Receiving: Tavian Harvey (FMT) 5-53, Owen Terfehr (FMT) 3-49.
Defense: Interceptions: Dakota Wiley (FMT), Aaron Becker (FMT), Tumbleson (FMT), Terfehr (FMT).
Card to Watch - Week 2 Preview
No. 77 David Miller, Senior: OT/DT
No. 3 Fairmont hosts New Ulm in battle of football unbeatens
FAIRMONT – The New Ulm Eagles and the Class AAA No. 3-ranked Fairmont Cardinals utilized similar methods to kick off the Minnesota prep football season with lopsided victories last Thursday and Friday night, respectively.
Both Southeast Red District powerhouses amassed insurmountable halftime leads, their defenses relentlessly kept their opponents off the scoreboard for nearly the entire 48 minutes, and each lineup’s No. 5 played an integral role behind their respective Week 1 runaway wins.
Week 2 will likely represent a better barometer for coaches to assess each team’s overall true skills when Fairmont (1-0) plays host to New Ulm (1-0) in a 7 PM clash at Thomas Mahoney Field on Friday night (Sept. 5) in Fairmont.
“Metaphorically, we came out of the gates and grabbed the bull by the horns,” New Ulm fourth-year head coach Derek Lieser said in reference to his purple-and-white crew’s 44-7 triumph over Austin a week ago. “We came out physical and established the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball early and never looked back.”
“New Ulm created a lot of pivotal plays with its defense,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney, whose roster kicked off the campaign with a 47-0 rout over Worthington. “Any time you can produce touchdowns by all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams – you have to be extremely pleased.”
Enter No. 5 – senior safety and wingback Zach Hubbard – into the Eagles’ winning equation. Hubbard pocketed a game-best three interceptions, including a 70-yard return for one of New Ulm’s two pick-6s, and delivered a 5-yard rushing touchdown for good measure.
Senior linebacker and running back Dirk Haynes also contributed scores on both offense and defense for New Ulm by powering across the goal line on a 7-yard rumble and returned an interception for a short pick-6 to help Lieser’s lineup build a 30-0 first-quarter margin.
Sophomore Parker Ranweiler contributed a rare fumble recovery in the end zone following a football-jarring hit on the Austin kickoff returner at the 1-yard line, while sophomore quarterback Owen Castleman chipped in a 1-yard touchdown run to cap the Eagles’ dominant Week 1 performance.
“I was impressed with New Ulm’s No. 5 (Hubbard), but I also liked the way our No. 5 (senior running back Cole Brockmann) came to play under the Friday night lights last week,” said Mahoney, whose team built a 34-0 lead by intermission against the Trojans.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Brockmann pounded his way through large gaps created by his blockers to generate a game-best 135 yards and one TD out of the backfield and later caught one of senior quarterback Joe Long’s three scoring spirals in the Cardinals’ statistical boxscore.
“After looking at film, No. 5 (Brockmann) is not as elusive as (graduated standout) Elijah Johnson was during the past couple of seasons, but he’s a (physical) load at 200 pounds,” said Lieser. “He’s tough to bring down, and then throw Fairmont’s quarterback into the mix and he (Long) is poised in the pocket and on the run. Our (3-4) defense will try to make it uncomfortable for him in the backfield and try to disrupt his rhythm by applying pressure.”
On the opposite side of the gridiron, Mahoney knows his 5-2 defensive alignment will have to be aware of Castleman both under center and out of the shotgun formation.
“Castleman looks to have good size, moves well inside and outside the pocket, and uses a big offensive line to get the job done,” said Mahoney. “Defensively, we pursued to the ball effectively against Worthington, so we’ll have to duplicate that effort again this week.”
STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT CARDINALS
Offense
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-0, 155, Senior
FB: #28 Macklain Anderson, 5-10, 206, Senior
RB: #5 Cole Brockmann, 6-1, 205, Senior
LT: #77 DJ Miller, 6-4, 250, Senior
LG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 235, Senior
RG: #56 Ryan Szafryk, 5-8, 260, Senior
RT: #50 Reed Johnson, 6-4, 195, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Junior
WR: #1 Tavian Harvey, 5-11, 140, Senior
WR: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-1, 175, Junior
**
Defense
E: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 200, Sophomore
T: #77 Miller
NG: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-0, 270, Senior
T: #52 T. Bicknase
E: #4 Nolan Anderson, 6-5, 220, Senior
LB: #5 Brockmann
LB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Senior
CB: #1 Tavian Harvey
CB: #2 Dakota Wiley, 6-0, 155, Senior
S: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-7, 145, Junior
S: #6 Terfehr
^^
NEW ULM (No Heights or Weights Available)
Offense
QB: #19 Owen Castleman, Sophomore
RB: #11 Dirk Haynes, Senior
WB: #5 Zach Hubbard, Senior
WB: #10 Jeffrey Kral, Junior
LT: #77 Tilken Fruhwirth, Senior
LG: #51 Isaiah Friese, Junior
C: #55 Tanner Backer, Junior
RG: #52 Brady Seidl, Senior
RT: #59 Riley Hacker, Junior
TE: #7 George Gag, Junior
WR: #1 Jamison Portner, Senior
**
Defense
E: #51 Friese
NG: #59 Hacker
E: #77 Fruhwirth
LB: #11 Haynes
LB: #55 Backer
LB: #52 Seidl
LB: #19 Castleman
CB: #1 Portner
CB: # 6 Jayden Broste, Junior
S: #5 Hubbard
S: #7 Gag
Week 1 Recap - Cardinals 47, Worthington 0
Cardinals 47, Worthington 0
No. 3 Cardinals flatten Trojans in football opener
By Charlie Sorrells
Prep Sports Writer
FAIRMONT – Class AAA No. 3-ranked Fairmont turned in a near flawless performance during its football season-opener Friday night at Thomas Mahoney Field.
Cole Brockmann produced a career-best 135 yards and one touchdown on a yeoman’s 18 totes and added a 14-yard scoring catch, Joe Long threw for 83 yards and three Tds to complement kicking four PATs, while Owen Terfehr and Brayden Williamson produced one turnover each to set up more point production during the hometown Cardinals’ 47-0 rout of the Worthington Trojans.
“At the end of the day, we simply controlled the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense,” said Fairmont head coach Mat Mahoney. “Our defense did not allow a first down until 9 minutes remaining in the game and held on for the shutout by demonstrating solid tackling skills.
“Offensively, we scored on each of our first three possessions of the game as our guys upfront created running lanes and pass protection, and Cole Brockmann’s seasonal debut was a good one on the ground.
“We did have a couple of small hiccups – two interceptions and a pair of missed PAT kicks – that are easily fixed, so we’re looking forward to getting back at it after Labor Day.”
With center Jake Ehlert, guards Tyler Bicknase and Ryan Szafryk, and tackles DJ Miller and Reed Johnson driving Worthington’s frontline defenders back on their heels, Brockmann pounded out 21 yards on two carries before Long went to the airwaves to kick off the season.
Long threaded a 23-yard sideline spiral to Terfehr before zipping a 20-yard touchdown pass to Tavian Harvey near the right pylon for the initial points of the season. Long made his extra-point kicking debut by nailing the PAT for a 7-0 lead only 91 seconds into the opener.
Cardinals’ end Nolan Anderson, linebacker Ty Tumbleson and defensive tackle Mathew Martin forced the Trojans into an ensuing three-and-out series before Fairmont’s pounding ground game rode the broad shoulders of Brockmann to paydirt.
Brockmann hammered out 33 yards on six of the home team’s next seven carries to reach Worthington’s 10-yard line. Long then doubled Fairmont’s lead to 14-0 by lofting a 10-yard scoring pass to Macklain Anderson out of the backfield before splitting the uprights with his point-after kick at the 3:27 juncture of the opening frame.
Tumbleson, linebacker Aaron Becker and Martin created defensive chaos again and made Worthington punt after running just three plays to regain possession for Fairmont. Brockmann bulldozed his way for 57 yards on five consecutive carries, culminating the scoring drive on a 1-yard smash-mouth run for a 20-0 lead at 11:59 of the second quarter.
Fino Noeno then delivered back-to-back interceptions for the Trojans during the next two Cardinal possessions only to have Terfehr produced an impressive strip quarterback sack before scooping up the fumble recovery at Worthington’s 12. Tumbleson capped the short-distance sequence with a 2-yard TD run before Long kicked the PAT for a 27-0 margin at the 3:35 mark.
Caine Gronewold and Terfehr applied gap-sealing coverage upfront to help Fairmont force another Worthington three-and-out series with time winding down. Tavian Harvey’s 50-yard punt return was nearly halved due to a penalty, but still put the Cardinals in business at the Trojans’ 41.
Brockmann and Long chewed up 5-yard chunks of real estate to march down the field before Long zipped a 14-yard TD screen to Brockmann, who displayed his athleticism by tightrope-walking the sideline into the end zone for six more points. Long kicked the PAT for a 34-0 lead with only 16 seconds left before intermission.
Fairmont offensive coordinator Brian Wille’s lineup produced 255 of its eventual 381 total yards of offense by intermission, while defensive coordinator Brad Johnson’s 5-2 scheme allowed a meager 19 first-half yards en route to only 91 total on the game.
Williamson’s diving scoop for an interception to open the third quarter set up Fairmont’s offense at Worthington’s 34, and sophomore running back Keyon Schutz did the rest of the work. Schutz, who finished with 59 yards on six carries, took the ensuing handoff and galloped 34 yards for the score. Aaron Becker relieved Long and kicked the PAT for a 41-0 lead.
Williamson’s pivotal 18-yard punt return later led to Fairmont’s time-consuming 50-yard offensive march to the end zone. Reserve quarterback Mason Bicknase fired an 11-yard pass to Chase Birr before Schutz and Landon Traetow fueled the Cardinals’ steam-rolling running game to the 2. Mason Bicknase scored on a keeper as Fairmont closed out the season-opening 47-0 flattening.
Miguel Moreno topped the Trojans’ ground game with 44 yards on 15 carries.
Fairmont (1-0) plays host to New Ulm at 7 PM next Friday night (Sept. 5) back at Thomas Mahoney Field.
Worthington 0 0 0 0 – 0
Fairmont 14 20 7 6 – 47
SCORING PLAYS
1st Quarter
FMT: Tavian Harvey 20 pass from Joe Long (Joe Long kick), 10:29.
FMT: Macklain Anderson 10 pass from Long (Long kick), 3:27.
2nd Quarter
FMT: Cole Brockmann 1 run (kick blocked), 11:59.
FMT: Ty Tumbleson 2 run (Long kick), 3:35.
FMT: Brockmann 14 pass from Long (Long kick), 0:16.
3rd Quarter
FMT: Keyon Schutz 34 run (Aaron Becker kick), 10:00.
4th Quarter
FMT: Mason Bicknase 2 run (kick failed), 10:26.
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Fairmont 19; Worthington 4. Rushing: Fairmont 43-287; Worthington 32-88. Passing (Comp.-Att.-Int.-Yards): Fairmont 9-17-2-94; Worthington 1-6-1-3. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 1-1; Worthington 4-1. Penalties: Fairmont 3-35; Worthington 3-39.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Offense: Rushing: Fairmont: Brockmann 18-135, Schutz 6-59, Landon Traetow 6-37. Worthington: Miguel Moreno 15-44, Kevin Ramirez 10-17. Passing: Long (FMT) 8-15-2-83, Mason Bicknase (FMT) 1-2-0-11; Isaiah Schroeder (WOR) 1-6-1-3. Receiving: Fairmont: Tavian Harvey 3-26, Owen Terfehr 2-32, Brockmann 1-14, Chase Birr 1-11, Macklain Anderson 1-10, Merritt Pomerenke 1-1. Worthington: Hudson Scheepstra 1-3.
Defense: Interceptions: Fino Noeno (WOR) 2, Brayden Williamson (FMT) 1. Fumble recoveries: Owen Terfehr (FMT), Christian Dailey (WOR).
Card to Watch - Week 1 Preview
No. 52 Tyler Bicknase, Senior: OG/DE
No. 3-ranked Fairmont hosts Worthington in football opener
FAIRMONT – Class AAA No. 3-ranked Fairmont will do something at 7 PM Friday night that the Cardinals have not done since 2013 – kick off the prep football season against the Worthington Trojans at Thomas Mahoney Field in Fairmont.
“It feels great to revive our football program’s long-time tradition of playing against Worthington in our opener,” said Fairmont head coach Mat Mahoney, whose talent-laden roster looks to take the first step toward defending its Section 3 championship from a year ago. “Somehow and somewhere in the scheduling process, our game against the Trojans got moved around during the past 12 years.
“In fact, we squared off during Week 7 last season, but we’ve got them back to Week 1 this fall.”
Current University of St. Thomas freshman Elijah Johnson erupted for 210 yards and a school single-game record-tying five rushing touchdowns on only 13 carries to power Fairmont’s school-record 35-point first quarter en route to a 49-9 victory during the two sectional rivals’ 2024 clash.
“I’m not going to deny it – I’m glad we don’t have to try to stop him (Johnson) this season,” Worthington head coach Geno Lais said with a chuckle in reference to the graduated Cardinals’ record-setting running back. “I’m sure Mat will still have a lot of (offensive) formations for us to deal with, and he’ll have another great running back to take (Johnson’s) place on the field on Friday night.”
Cole Brockmann, a bruising 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior, will be the Cardinals’ featured running back and follow the blocking of 206-pound senior fullback Macklain Anderson and five guys in the trenches who resemble a small college unit.
Brockmann missed the majority of last season due to injuries, but should be able to move the first-down marker following the path-clearing skills of center Jake Ehlert, guards Tyler Bicknase and Ryan Szafryk, and tackles DJ Miller and Reed Johnson. Fairmont’s five formidable forces average 234 pounds, so the Trojans’ 4-3 defensive alignment will have its hands full.
“Fairmont’s always a physical team and they’ll pound the ball right at you, so we’d better be ready,” said Lais. “The most difficult part about preparing for Fairmont is they also have an athletic quarterback who can throw the ball to a talented receiving core.”
Senior Joe Long completed 6 of 8 passes for 101 yards, including a 47-yard TD strike to split end Tavian Harvey, during the Cardinals’ 40-point margin of victory in 2024. Long also will look to capitalize on the pass-catching skills of tight end Vincent Schultz and a pair of varsity newcomers in Owen Terfehr and Travon Harvey at wide receiver.
“A number of coaches would say we were a running team last fall, but we always try to be balanced by going to the air,” said Mahoney. “Everyone in southern Minnesota knew who EJ was last season, but this season we have a wide variety of guys who are versatile and can hurt the opposing team with their multi-tasking abilities.”
Jack Schmitz will utilize his 6-0, 200-pound frame at an end position to anchor Worthington’s defensive front four, while 5-9, 190-pound junior Logan Kerkaert and senior speedster Dalton Larson will look to make stops for the Trojans’ secondary from their linebacker spots.
“Dalton really stepped up his overall game at both linebacker and fullback during the offseason, while Jack has proven to be solid on both sides of the line of scrimmage,” said Lais. “Isaiah Schroeder also turned in a solid performance at quarterback during our scrimmages against Luverne and Murray County Central last Saturday, as did running back Kevin Ramirez out of the backfield.”
Fairmont’s imposing defensive front of ends Preston Geerdes (6-foot-4) and Nolan Anderson (6-5), tackles DJ Miller (6-4) and Tyler Bicknase (6-2), 270-pound nose guard Mathew Martin and 360-pound end/tackle Ethan Farnum will look to control the line of scrimmage, shut down the run game and apply pressure in passing situations.
“I say it every year – mistakes are going to happen in the season opener, so we just have to learn from them, make adjustments and move forward,” said Mahoney. “After this long practicing against each other, our guys are ready to hit somebody else in a game situation.”
STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRMONT CARDINALS
Offense
QB: #13 Joe Long, 6-0, 155, Senior
FB: #28 Macklain Anderson, 5-10, 206, Senior
RB: #5 Cole Brockmann, 6-1, 205, Senior
LT: #77 DJ Miller, 6-4, 250, Senior
LG: #52 Tyler Bicknase, 6-2, 230, Senior
C: #54 Jake Ehlert, 6-0, 235, Senior
RG: #56 Ryan Szafryk, 5-8, 260, Senior
RT: #50 Reed Johnson, 6-4, 195, Junior
TE: #38 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Junior
WR: #1 Tavian Harvey, 5-11, 140, Senior
WR: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-1, 175, Junior
Defense
E: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 200, Sophomore
T: #77 Miller
NG: #73 Mathew Martin, 6-0, 270, Senior
T: #52 T. Bicknase
E: #4 Nolan Anderson, 6-5, 220, Senior
LB: #5 Brockmann
LB: #45 Ty Tumbleson, 6-2, 165, Senior
CB: #1 Tavian Harvey
CB: #2 Dakota Wiley, 6-0, 155, Senior
S: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-7, 145, Junior
S: #6 Terfehr
^^
WORTHINGTON
Offense
QB: #2 Isaiah Schroeder, 6-3, 180, Junior
FB: #21 Dalton Larson, 5-7, 145, Senior
TB: #9 Kevin Ramirez, 5-10, 190, Senior
WR: #3 Tethlouch Gach, 6-4, 145, Senior
LT: #70 Jack Schmitz, 6-0, 200, Senior
LG: #55 Noah Williams, 6-5, 270, Freshman
C: #50 Logan Kerkaert, 5-9, 190, Junior
RG: #52 Brayden Raymo, 5-7, 190, Sophomore
RT: #56 Dayton Franks, 6-2, 185, Junior
TE: #45 Austin Gruis, 6-6, 185, Junior
WR: #18 Dominic Pavelko, 5-10, 150, Junior or #1 Fino Noeno, 5-7, 125, Senior
Defense
E: #70 Schmitz
T: #24 Jason Tran, 5-8, 170, Senior
T: #72 Kenyan Watson, 6-3, 210, Junior
E: #45 Gruis
OLB: #32 Arthur Htoo, 5-10, 165, Sophomore
MLB: #50 Kerkaert
OLB: #21 Dalton Larson
CB: #3 Gach
CB: #18 Pavelko
S: #1 Noeno
S: #8 Hudson Scheepstra, 6-1, 150, Junior