Card to Watch - Playoff Preview

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By Charlie Sorrells

Web Prep Writer

FAIRMONT – “Wipe the slate clean – the second season is here,” Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney said in reference to the three Section 3AAA football quarterfinals that kick off at 7 PM Tuesday night. “It doesn’t matter what happened during the regular season – throw it out the window.

“If you just show up hoping to rest of your laurels, that’s a mindset that will end your season early.”

Mahoney’s Cardinals (4-4) hit the road for a second consecutive year after receiving the No. 5 sectional seed again in the QRF ratings and face the No. 4-seeded Belle Plaine Tigers (5-3) in a rematch from Week 6.

Quarterback Jensen Livesay emerged as a double-edged offensive threat in piling up 186 passing yards and two touchdowns to complement 52 more yards on the ground and a third score in guiding Fairmont to a 27-7 triumph over Belle Plaine on Oct. 9 on the Tigers’ home turf. Running back Keyon Schutz topped the Cardinals’ potent ground game with 112 yards and one TD, while receivers Brayden Williamson and Travohn Harvey each garnered scoring spirals to round out the dominant win.

“Offensively, we had a good balanced attack of throwing the ball and running the ball against Belle Plaine, while defensively, we made sure-handed tackles and limited their big plays.”

Linebacker Aaron Becker amassed three quarterback sacks and another half-dozen hurried passes to engineer a Fairmont defense that limited Belle Plaine junior quarterback Reed Creighton – a South Dakota State and North Dakota State football recruit – to 131 passing yards and one score.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Creighton, however, ended the regular season with another stellar pocket performance in powering Belle Plaine to a 28-13 victory over Albert Lea on Oct. 20. Creighton completed 19 of 27 throws for 275 yards and three TDs, running back Boden Siegle generated 73 yards and one score on 17 carries, while Caden Koepp pocketed eight catches for 167 yards and two scores.

Knotted at 7-all at halftime, Creighton went to work through the airwaves by zipping 34-yard TD spirals to Evan Cahalan and Koepp in the third quarter to build a 21-7 advantage. The Creighton-to-Koepp connection dialed long distance for a 77-yard pass play and key insurance score in the fourth frame last week.

“Belle Plaine has gotten more creative in ways to get the football to Koepp during the last two weeks, so our defense will definitely have to keep their eyes on him,” said Mahoney. “(Landon) Wadsley was the receiver who hurt us last game, and (Evan) Cahalan does a nice job finding openings in the secondary, too.”

The hard-hitting linebacking trio of Owen Terfehr, Caiden Utesch and Mason Bicknase top the Cardinals’ tackling charts with 40, 35 and 31 stops, respectively, and will look to have their hands full of Tigers’ jerseys when the section quarterfinal kicks off at 7 PM Tuesday night in Belle Plaine.

The linebacking trio of Luke Schultz, Waylon Wolf and Siegle also pace Belle Plaine’s defensive effort by hitting their home field with team-leading tackling numbers of 58, 52 and 44, respectively.

In other Section 3AAA quarterfinal play Tuesday night, No. 2-seeded Waseca (7-1) plays host to No. 7-seeded Albert Lea and No. 3-seeded Luverne (7-1) plays host to No. 6-seeded Worthington. No. 1-seeded Tri-City United (7-1) has an opening-round bye.

“It’s playoff time and anything can happen,” said Mahoney.

FAIRMONT STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: #14 Jensen Livesay, 6-4, 205, Senior

RB: #30 Keyon Schutz, 5-11, 190, Junior

WR: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-9, 155, Senior

WR: #5 Mason Bicknase, 6-2, 185, Junior

LT: #51 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Senior

LG: #59 Craig Schultze, 6-1, 255, Junior

C: #55 Reed Johnson, 6-5, 200, Senior

RG: #69 Luther Malo, 6-2, 240, Junior

RT: #70 Max Nielsen, 6-3, 275, Senior

TE: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 210, Junior

WR: #1 Travohn Harvey, 6-3, 145, Senior

DEFENSE

DE: #51 V. Schultz

DT: #69 Malo

NG: #74 Ethan Farnum, 6-2, 350, Senior

DE: #55 R. Johnson

OLB: #5 Bicknase

MLB: #31 Aaron Becker, 6-3, 220, Sophomore

OLB: #19 Caiden Utesch, 5-11, 175, Senior

CB: #7 Williamson

CB: #1 Harvey

SS: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-2, 180, Senior

FS: #10 Landon Traetow, 6-0, 155, Senior

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

BELLE PLAINE STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: #12 Reed Creighton, 6-3, 185, Junior

RB: #7 Boden Siegle, 6-0, 190, Junior

SE: #17 Landon Wadsley, 6-4, 205, Junior

SE: #8 Caden Koepp, 5-9, 155, Senior

LT: #65 Aaron Johnston, 6-3, 225, Junior

LG: #74 Vincent Schaal, 5-10, 170, Junior

C: #60 Mason Bungarden, 6-1, 210, Senior

RG: #54 Zack Schultz, 5-10, 190, Senior

RT: #71 Will Posthumus, 6-4, 220, Junior

SE: #5 Evan Cahalan, 5-9, 160, Junior

SE: #6 Caleb Smith, 6-1, 150, Junior

DEFENSE

DE: #60 Bungarden

DT: #1 Teegan Cieluch, 6-3, 205, Senior

DT: #55 Logan Schultz, 5-11, 200, Sophomore

DE: #71 Posthumus

OLB: #7 Siegle

MLB: #11 Waylon Wolf, 5-10, 170, Junior

OLB: #59 Luke Schultz, 5-7, 155, Senior

CB: #3 Iker Calderon, 5-9, 165, Senior

CB: #22 Andrew Schulz, 6-0, 160, Sophomore

S: #14 Chaz Iovino, 5-9, 180, Senior

S: #5 Cahalan.

By Charlie Sorrells

Web Prep Writer

FAIRMONT – The Fairmont football team’s mission during the final week of the regular season does not get any simpler.

If the Cardinals defeat Class AAAA opponent St. Peter at the friendly confines of Thomas Mahoney Field on Thursday night (Oct. 22), the odds of Fairmont climbing from its current No. 5 spot to No. 4 in the Section 3AAA QRF rankings increase significantly.

“We control our own destiny – either hosting a sectional quarterfinal next Tuesday (Oct. 27) or going on the road – so we cannot complain about the final outcome,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney, whose team enters Week 8 with a 4-3 overall record on the heels of a down-to-the-last-seconds one-point loss to sectional leader Tri-City United last Wednesday night. “Our guys have steadily stepped up the level of their games during the last 3 weeks and have taken good strides in improving overall, but we just have to learn how to close out a potential win and not let it slip away.”

Nose guard Ethan Farnum’s pivotal fumble recovery at TCU’s 49 in the fourth quarter eventually led to Fairmont’s 25-19 advantage on the strength of quarterback Jensen Livesay’s fourth rushing touchdown – from 1 yard out – with just 1:29 remaining during Week 7. Parker O’Malley’s heroic 6-yard TD run on fourth-and-1 – combined with Chase Miller’s ensuing PAT kick with 14 seconds left in regulation – however, denied Fairmont’s upset bid.

While the Cardinals’ frenetic finish fell just shy of a victory last Wednesday night, St. Peter quarterback Alex Korir, running back Ryan Moelter and wide receiver Ashton Guida engineered the Saints’ clutch 31-21 triumph over the New Ulm Eagles during the next-to-last game of the regular season.

Korir completed 6 of 10 passes to amass 152 yards and three touchdowns while chipping in 72 more yards and another score on 16 carries during the 10-point decision, while the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Moelter topped the Saints’ ground game with 124 yards on 24 totes to complement grabbing two Korir spirals for 38 yards and a TD. The 6-1, 180-pound Guida contributed two catches for 98 yards and another score for St. Peter (4-3 overall).

“St. Peter’s offense all starts and ends with No. 21 (Moelter). He can run the football, catch it and even throw it on occasion,” said Mahoney. “We definitely have to know where he’s at throughout the entire game. He might be the most complete player we’ll face this season.”

So, what are the challenges that the Saints’ 3-4 defensive alignment present to the Cardinals’ ever evolving offensive scheme?

“I hate to keep repeating myself, but … that side of the ball also starts with No. 21,” Mahoney said with a smile. “Moelter is athletic, flies around the field from his outside linebacker position and makes plays, while No. 44 (6-2, 200-pound Owen Potts) complements him (Moelter) well at the opposite outside (linebacker) spot. He’s (Potts) got good size and quickness, and No. 2 (Korir) demonstrates why he’s a two-way starter at safety. He’s a good athlete in the secondary, knows the (passing) routes and makes plays for them.”

St. Peter’s lineup consists of eight two-way starters, with only the three down lineman in the defensive trenches – nose guard Isaih Hesse and tackles Jadon Telshaw and Solomon Thompson – and offensive blockers Brody Whipps, Eric Nourie and Dylan Greenig not pulling full-time double duty on the game.

“Limiting our penalties and forcing turnovers like last game definitely improves our chances of closing the regular season with a win,” said Mahoney, who also received a recovery by Travohn Harvey off an Aaron Becker-caused fumble and a strip-and-recover defensive gem from Brayden Williamson during Fairmont’s narrow loss to TCU last week.

FAIRMONT STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: #14 Jensen Livesay, 6-4, 205, Senior

RB: #30 Keyon Schutz, 5-11, 190, Junior

WR: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-9, 155, Senior

WR: #5 Mason Bicknase, 6-2, 185, Junior

LT: #51 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Senior

LG: #59 Craig Schultze, 6-1, 255, Junior

C: #55 Reed Johnson, 6-5, 200, Senior

RG: #69 Luther Malo, 6-2, 240, Junior

RT: #70 Max Nielsen, 6-3, 275, Senior

TE: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 210, Junior

WR: #1 Travohn Harvey, 6-3, 145, Senior

DEFENSE

DE: #51 V. Schultz

DT: #69 Malo

NG: #74 Ethan Farnum, 6-2, 350, Senior

DE: #55 R. Johnson

OLB: #5 Bicknase

MLB: #31 Aaron Becker, 6-3, 220, Sophomore

OLB: #19 Caiden Utesch, 5-11, 175, Senior

CB: #7 Williamson

CB: #1 Harvey

SS: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-2, 180, Senior

FS: #10 Landon Traetow, 6-0, 155, Senior

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ST. PETER STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: #2 Alex Korir, 5-9, 150, Senior

FB: #44 Owen Potts, 6-2, 200, Senior

RB: #21 Ryan Moelter, 6-1, 190, Senior

WR: #0 Carter Wills, 5-8, 150, Senior

LT: #60 Nathan Walter, 5-8, 195, Junior

LG: #51 Brody Whipps, 5-11, 175, Senior

C: #64 Eric Nourie, 5-9, 245, Senior

RG: #70 Dylan Greenig, 5-10, 165, Sophomore

RT: #52 Joe Greenig, 5-9, 180, Senior

WR: #3 Ashton Guida, 6-1, 180, Senior

WR: #5 Max Welp, 6-1, 170, Senior

DEFENSE

DT: #54 Jadon Telshaw, 6-1, 210, Junior

NG: #58 Isaih Hesse, 5-8, 160, Senior

DT: #66 Solomon Thompson, 6-6, 265, Senior

OLB: #21 Moelter

ILB: #52. J. Greenig

ILB: #60 Walter

OLB: #44 Potts

CB: #5 Welp

CB: #0 Wills

S: #3 Guida

S: #2 Korir

By Charlie Sorrells

Web Prep Writer

FAIRMONT – Tri-City United demonstrated its tenacity by producing two touchdowns during the final 1:39 of regulation to cap an incredible 21-14 comeback triumph over New Ulm during Week 6 prep football action to extend its winning streak to three in a row to move to 5-1 overall.

Fairmont integrated its powerful ground-and-pound of yore with a lethal air attack offensively, while unleashing havoc from a defensive perspective to dominate Belle Plaine, 27-7, to reel off a third consecutive victory to improve to 4-2.

TCU head coach Matt Collins’ Titans inched past rival Waseca (5-1) for the No. 1 spot in the Section 3AAA QRF ratings 73.3-69.7 this week, while Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney’s Cardinals climbed two spots to the No. 3 position – holding a miniscule 53.4-53.0 margin over unbeaten Luverne (6-0). Unfortunately for Luverne, its eight-game regular-season schedule does not contain any sectional opponents.

“With only 2 weeks left in the regular season, we’ll see how the sectional seeds shake out in the QRF rankings and how the tiebreaking criteria will apply,” said Collins, whose gridders travel to Fairmont for a 7 PM Wednesday night game with the hometown Cardinals.

“It’s a short turnaround due to (Education Minnesota Week) and we’re facing one of the toughest teams in our playoff bracket, so we’d better be prepared for a good old-fashioned smash-mouth game,” said Mahoney. “TCU probably has the biggest offensive line we’ll see all season, averaging nearly 250 pounds per blocker, so our defense will get a test this week.”

“We have a lot of guys with a lot of varsity experience at our skill spots, but we’re definitely young in the line, starting three sophomores (6-foot-3, 260-pound left tackle Kale Tisdel; 6-3, 220-pound right guard Colton Dorweiler; and 6-4, 290-pound right tackle Tyson Sladek),” said Collins.

While the youth movement in the trenches has helped the Titans pile up yards, three-year two-way starters Parker O’Malley, Toren Kelly, Brody Factor and Keegan O’Meara engineered TCU’s late heroics in less than 2 minutes to topple New Ulm.

O’Malley’s 38-yard halfback pass to Factor led to O’Malley’s key 9-yard touchdown run before Chase Miller kicked the all-important PAT to tie the game at 14-all with 1:39 to go.

“We didn’t have a lot of time remaining, so we used a trick play – ironically, the first one we’ve used all season – to move the ball late in the game before Parker scored on a run,” said Collins. “I also have to give credit to Chase Miller, who joined our team from soccer on game nights, and gives us a legitimate kicker and those extra points can be the difference.”

William Soto hit the New Ulm quarterback as he was passing during the next series with Kelly reaching the Eagles’ 11-yard line off the interception. O’Meara later scored on third down from 8 yards out and Miller kicked the PAT to stake TCU to a 21-14 lead with 11 seconds to go. It was not quite over, however, as a Titan facemask penalty gave New Ulm one untimed play from its 40 and O’Malley sealed the victory with an interception in the end zone.

“Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to have a little luck,” Collins said with a laugh.

Collins knows TCU will face another challenge when his team travels to Thomas Mahoney Field for the pivotal sectional showdown during Week 7 on Wednesday night.

“Fairmont has a very physical running game with (Keyon) Schutz coming out of the backfield, and their quarterback (Jensen Livesay) has developed into a dual-threat as both a rusher and a passer in the past couple of weeks,” said Collins. “They’ve added their tight end (Preston Geerdes) into the receiving mix with (Brayden) Williamson and (Travohn) Harvey, with (Owen) Terfehr having to wear a cast on his one hand.

“Defensively, they’re greatly improved with (Aaron) Becker at linebacker and have a pair of tall ends (Reed Johnson and Vincent Schultz) to pass around, so we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

So, which powerhouse program will exit Thomas Mahoney Field with a win?

“Every possession will count, and whoever gets the timely turnover will definitely have the upperhand,” said Collins.

FAIRMONT STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: #14 Jensen Livesay, 6-4, 205, Senior

RB: #30 Keyon Schutz, 5-11, 190, Junior

WR: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-9, 155, Senior

WR: #5 Mason Bicknase, 6-2, 185, Junior

LT: #51 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Senior

LG: #59 Craig Schultze, 6-1, 255, Junior

C: #55 Reed Johnson, 6-5, 200, Senior

RG: #69 Luther Malo, 6-2, 240, Junior

RT: #70 Max Nielsen, 6-3, 275, Senior

TE: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 210, Junior

WR: #1 Travohn Harvey, 6-3, 145, Senior

DEFENSE

DE: #51 V. Schultz

DT: #69 Malo

NG: #74 Ethan Farnum, 6-2, 350, Senior

DE: #55 R. Johnson

OLB: #5 Bicknase

MLB: #31 Aaron Becker, 6-3, 220, Sophomore

OLB: #19 Caiden Utesch, 5-11, 175, Senior

CB: #7 Williamson

CB: #1 Harvey

SS: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-2, 180, Senior

FS: #10 Landon Traetow, 6-0, 155, Senior

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

TRI-CITY UNITED STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: #12 Kellen Jirik, 6-2, 170, Senior

FB: #6 Ty Smith, 5-8, 180, Junior

WB: #26 Parker O’Malley, 6-0, 195, Senior

WB: #4 Keegan O’Meara, 5-9, 170, Senior

LT: #76 Kale Tisdel, 6-3, 260, Sophomore

LG: #65 Tucker Skluzacek, 6-0, 185, Senior

C: #75 Matthew Farr, 6-1, 290, Senior

RG: #68 Colton Dorweiler, 6-3, 220, Sophomore

RT: #64 Tyson Sladek, 6-4, 290, Sophomore

TE: #85 Ethan Holicky, 6-2, 170, Junior

SE: #8 Brody Factor, 6-0, 170, Senior

DEFENSE

DE: #6 Smith

DT: #76 Tisdel

DT: #64 Sladek

DE: #44 Corday Freeman, 6-0, 205, Senior

OLB: #26 O’Malley

MLB: #25 Toren Kelly, 6-0, 210, Senior

OLB: #20 Eric Borchardt, 6-0, 185, Junior

CB: #4 O’Meara

CB: #12 Jirik

S: #3 Skluzacek

S: #8 Factor

By Charlie Sorrells

Web Prep Writer

BELLE PLAINE – Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney and Belle Plaine head coach Dave Frisell find their respective football teams in both a sectional and district quagmire heading into Friday night’s 7 PM kickoff in Belle Plaine during Week 6.

Mahoney’s Cardinals have climbed into the No. 4 spot in the nine-team Southeast Red District standings with a 3-2 mark on the heels of back-to-back wins, while Frisell’s Tigers have remained one spot behind Fairmont in the league with a 2-2 record against district foes by coming off a split decision during Weeks 4 and 5.

From a playoff perspective, Belle Plaine and Fairmont – both 3-2 overall – have flipped the script in the Section 3AAA standings, with the Tigers clinging to the No. 4 rung on the postseason ladder with a 47.9 QRF rating and the Cardinals hovering at No. 5 at 46.2.

Waseca (4-1) currently holds the top spot in the sectional standings despite losing a 14-12 decision to No. 2-rated Tri-City United (4-1) last Friday night, while undefeated Luverne (5-0) is nestled in the No. 3 position with a QRF of 48.3 – only four-tenths ahead of Belle Plaine.

So, what do all of the above numbers translate into for the Cardinals’ sectional clash against the Tigers on Friday night?

“We realistically control our own destiny for the postseason, so it’s nice not to have to depend on any other teams having to beat one of our sectional rivals coming down the stretch,” said Mat Mahoney, whose lineup plays host to TCU on Wednesday, Oct. 14, before clashing with St. Peter on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Thomas Mahoney Field in Fairmont to cap the regular season. “It’s simple – if we win our final three games, we should earn the right to host a first-round playoff game.”

Mahoney, however, knows the upcoming three-game regular-season stretch run will not be an easy task and is taking the proverbial “one game at a time” approach.

“We (coaching staff) know Belle Plaine’s quarterback (Reed Creighton) is being recruited by South Dakota State and North Dakota State, so obviously he’s very good,” Mat Mahoney said in reference to the Tigers’ 6-foot-3, 185-pound junior signal-caller. “He can fling the football, he’s accurate with his passes and knows where to throw it coverage-wise.

“When a play breaks down for them, he can get out of trouble and that’s the sign of a really good quarterback.”

Creighton has completed 82 of 127 passes for a staggering 1,254 yards and 14 TDs this fall, with 5-8, 155-pound senior split end Caden Koepp and 6-4, 205-pound junior split end Landon Wadsley being two of his favorite targets downfield. Koepp enters Week 6 with a team-leading 28 catches for 541 yards and six scores, while Wadsley has pocketed 21 passes for 294 yards and three TDs.

“Koepp’s a playmaker who’s explosive, has good hands and can run after the catch,” said Mahoney. “In reality, there’s not a bad receiver in the bunch when you also look at Evan Cahalan and Caleb Smith in the mix.

“Belle Plaine’s offense will give us a challenge by trying to spread us out with three- to five-receiver sets. If you only focus on stopping the receivers, Creighton and their running back (Boden Siegle) can hurt you by running underneath, so our defense will have to be prepared.”

Fairmont’s defense – topped by linebacker Caiden Utesch and nickelback Owen Terfehr with 33 and 32 tackles, respectively – has allowed only 12.8 points per outing and given up just 200 passing yards. While Creighton and the Tigers will likely prove the best air attack that the Cardinals have faced to this juncture, the good news for Mahoney’s defensive alignment were the return of Terfehr – after missing one game to injury – and middle linebacker Aaron Becker last Friday night. The 6-3, 220-pound Becker made his presence known against Albert Lea by jarring the football loose to lead to Reed Johnson’s fumble recovery en route to finishing with seven tackles.

Offensively, Keyon Schutz generated a career-best 140-yard rushing performance to more than double his seasonal output in pacing the Cardinals’ 284-yard outing against Albert Lea during Week 5, while quarterback Jensen Livesay produced 92 passing yards and a career-best four TDs to complement 39 more yards on the ground and another score.

“We feel good about how our offense and defense are shaping up going into this week,” said Mahoney. “Now we have to stay focused on our jobs and find a way to come away with a win.”

FAIRMONT STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: #14 Jensen Livesay, 6-4, 205, Senior

RB: #30 Keyon Schutz, 5-11, 190, Junior

WR: #7 Brayden Williamson, 5-9, 155, Senior

WR: #5 Mason Bicknase, 6-2, 185, Junior

LT: #51 Vincent Schultz, 6-4, 175, Senior

LG: #59 Craig Schultze, 6-1, 255, Junior

C: #55 Reed Johnson, 6-5, 200, Senior

RG: #69 Luther Malo, 6-2, 240, Junior

RT: #70 Max Nielsen, 6-3, 275, Senior

TE: #81 Preston Geerdes, 6-4, 210, Junior

WR: #1 Travohn Harvey, 6-3, 145, Senior

DEFENSE

DE: #51 V. Schultz

DT: #69 Malo

NG: #74 Ethan Farnum, 6-2, 350, Senior

DE: #55 R. Johnson

OLB: #5 Bicknase

MLB: #31 Aaron Becker, 6-3, 220, Sophomore

OLB: #19 Caiden Utesch, 5-11, 175, Senior

CB: #7 Williamson

CB: #1 Harvey

SS: #6 Owen Terfehr, 6-2, 180, Senior

FS: #10 Landon Traetow, 6-0, 155, Senior

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

BELLE PLAINE STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: #12 Reed Creighton, 6-3, 185, Junior

RB: #7 Boden Siegle, 6-0, 190, Junior

SE: #17 Landon Wadsley, 6-4, 205, Junior

SE: #8 Caden Koepp, 5-9, 155, Senior

LT: #65 Aaron Johnston, 6-3, 225, Junior

LG: #74 Vincent Schaal, 5-10, 170, Junior

C: #60 Mason Bungarden, 6-1, 210, Senior

RG: #54 Zack Schultz, 5-10, 190, Senior

RT: #71 Will Posthumus, 6-4, 220, Junior

SE: #5 Evan Cahalan, 5-9, 160, Junior

SE: #6 Caleb Smith, 6-1, 150, Junior

DEFENSE

DE: #60 Bungarden

DT: #1 Teegan Cieluch, 6-3, 205, Senior

DT: #55 Logan Schultz, 5-11, 200, Sophomore

DE: #71 Posthumus

OLB: #7 Siegle

MLB: #11 Waylon Wolf, 5-10, 170, Junior

OLB: #59 Luke Schultz, 5-7, 155, Senior

CB: #3 Iker Calderon, 5-9, 165, Senior

CB: #22 Andrew Schulz, 6-0, 160, Sophomore

S: #14 Chaz Iovino, 5-9, 180, Senior

S: #5 Cahalan

By Charlie Sorrells

Web Prep Writer

FAIRMONT – Fairmont Homecoming king candidate Brayden Williamson reigned supreme over Friday night’s Southeast Red District football game against the Albert Lea Tigers at Thomas Mahoney Field.

Williamson pocketed two of quarterback Jensen Livesay’s career-high four touchdown passes, delivered two pivotal punt returns to set up back-to-back first-half scores and tossed a 2-point conversion pass to Preston Geerdes for good measure by salvaging a low long snap during Fairmont’s sixth and final TD during Week 5 in Fairmont.

Keyon Schutz amassed a career-best 140 rushing yards and one score, Chase Birr caught an 11-yard TD spiral from Livesay to celebrate his 18th birthday and the Reed Johnson/Aaron Becker combination generated the Cardinals’ lone turnover and spear-headed a defense that limited the Tigers to 101 yards of offense to top a 45-6 rout.

“For the second game in a row, we were able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney, whose offense erupted for 284 rushing yards to complement Livesay’s 92-yard passing performance. “Everything changed when we moved Reed Johnson to center on offense, and Max Nielsen, Luther Malo, Craig Schultze and Vinnie Schultz have finally started to mesh on both sides of him.”

Albert Lea safety Jayson Mikels recovered an early Fairmont fumble at the Tigers’ 32 only to watch one snap before Johnson and Becker regained possession for the Cardinals late in the first quarter. Becker, who’s coming off the injured list, delivered a football-jarring hit in Albert Lea’s backfield before Johnson recovered the fumble at the 32.

Schutz pounded out 10 yards on two totes before getting dragged down by his facemask to net 15 more yards. Livesay then lofted a 7-yarder to the pylon and was impressed by Williamson’s leaping one-handed catch for six points. Kolbe kicked the PAT for a 7-0 lead at the 4:40 juncture.

Caiden Utesch’s stifling stop for no gain on second-and-9, combined with Becker’s body-rocking tackle for zero yards on fourth-and-2 prevented the Tigers from clawing at the Cardinals’ lead.

Owen Terfehr, who also returned from the injury list, joined forces with Williamson and Kolbe to help pin Albert Lea at the visitors’ 8 before the long snap for the ensuing punt sailed out of the end zone for two more Fairmont points.

Williamson’s 21-yard free-kick return and 15 more due to a facemask infraction put Livesay and Fairmont’s offense in business at the Albert Lea 34. Schutz took a draw play up the middle, cut outside and motored into the end zone from 26 yards out. Kolbe’s kick widened the gap to 16-0 at the 6:33 mark.

Williamson’s 25-yard punt return to the 50 later helped set up Livesay’s 17-yard TD strike to Williamson with only 1:39 remaining before intermission. Kolbe’s extra-point kick extended the Cardinals’ margin to 23-0.

Ryder Thate utilized his acceleration and velocity skills to return the third-quarter kickoff 48 yards to the Tigers’ 42. Thate later produced a tackle-evading 13-yard run to the 16 before Livesay spotted Travohn Harvey for a TD. Kolbe nailed the PAT for a 30-0 lead.

Amun-Ra Brown spoiled the Fairmont defense’s shutout bid by breaking loose for a 47-yard TD sprint to reduce Albert Lea’s deficit to 30-6 with 7:40 left in the third quarter.

Maison Ingvoldstad’s clutch recovery of the Tigers’ ensuing onside kick put the Cardinals in business again at the home team’s 48. Livesay zipped a 21-yard seam completion to Harvey before capping the short scoring drive with an 11-yard TD connection with Birr. Kolbe’s kick made it 37-6 with 5:21 to go in the third frame.

Becker’s stop on an Albert Lea fourth-and-4 fake punt-and-run play regained possession for Fairmont at the Tigers’ 28 before the bounces kept going in the Cardinals’ direction. Livesay lost the handle on the football on a keeper, fielded the bounce and rumbled 15 yards across the goal line for six more points.

Despite a low skidding line snap on the PAT play, Williamson – the kick holder – managed to quickly snatch the loose football from the grass before the pursuing Tigers picked it up, rolled right and lofted a 2-point conversion pass to Geerdes for the 29-point edge with only 21 seconds left in the third frame.

Fairmont (3-2) hits the road to Belle Plaine next Friday night (Oct. 9) for a 7 PM kickoff, while Albert Lea (2-3) travels to Floyd B. Johnson Field during Week 6 for a game with St. Peter.

Albert Lea 0--0--6--0 – 6

Fairmont 7-16-22-0 – 45

SCORING PLAYS

1st Quarter

FHS: Brayden Williamson 7 pass from Jensen Livesay (Boe Kolbe kick), 4:40.

2nd Quarter

FHS: Safety – Albert Lea snap on punt went out of end zone, 7:35.

FHS: Keyon Schutz 26 run (Kolbe kick), 6:33.

FHS: Williamson 17 pass from Livesay (Kolbe kick), 1:39.

3rd Quarter

FHS: Travohn Harvey 16 pass from Livesay (Kolbe kick), 10:09.

AL: Amun-Ra Brown 47 run (run failed), 7:40.

FHS: Chase Birr 11 pass from Livesay (Kolbe kick), 5:21.

FHS: Livesay 15 run (Preston Geerdes pass from Williamson), 0:21.

4th Quarter

No Scoring.

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs: Fairmont 17; Albert Lea 1. Rushing: Fairmont 35-284; Albert Lea 28-87. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 8-15-0-92; Albert Lea 2-5-0-14. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 2-1; Albert Lea 3-1. Penalties: Fairmont 2-32; Albert Lea 7-65.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Offense: Rushing: Keyon Schutz (FHS) 15-140, Ryder Thate (FHS) 5-52, Jensen Livesay (FHS) 4-39; Amun-Ra Brown (AL) 15-62. Passing: Livesay (FHS) 8-15-0-92; Charlie Murray (AL) 2-5-0-14. Receiving: Fairmont: Brayden Williamson 4-32, Travohn Harvey 3-49, Chase Birr 1-11. Albert Lea: Jayson Mikels 1-7, Mason Hrdalo 1-7.

Defense: Fumble recovery: Reed Johnson (FMT) and Jayson Mikels (AL).

By Charlie Sorrells

Web Prep Writer

FAIRMONT – Fairmont’s Boe Kolbe boomed punts during Friday night’s pregame warmups, but he never stepped onto Thomas Mahoney Field for an actual punt during Week 4’s football clash with the Austin Packers.

The hometown Cardinals – who had not scored in the previous nine quarters – converted all five of their first-half offensive possessions into touchdowns and mixed in a pair of punt returns for scores to coast to a 46-0 victory over the Packers and make shutout losses in Weeks 2 and 3 evaporate into thin air.

“We clicked on all cylinders tonight, with six different players contributing touchdowns to our balanced performance,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney. “We found our offensive identity through our running game – 229 yards, our defense played lights out by keeping Austin off the scoreboard and limiting them to 115 total yards, and obviously, our special teams delivered two huge plays.

“In all my years of coaching and playing this game, I can’t remember seeing two punt returns by the same team returned for touchdowns.”

Brayden Williamson – who combined with Carter Hanson for the pair of special-team gems – utilized a 20-yard punt return following Fairmont’s initial three-and-out defensive stand to put the Cardinals’ offense in business at the Packers’ 40. Keyon Schutz delivered rushes of 7 and 9 yards during the eight-play drive before powering his way into the end zone from 5 yards out to stake Fairmont to a quick 6-0 lead at the 7:55 mark.

Linebacker Mason Bicknase’s key stop of an Austin run for a 3-yard loss helped Fairmont’s defense force another punt and Williamson reeled off 32 yards on the return to gain the Packers’ 18. Ryder Thate – who topped the Cardinals’ offense with 104 yards on only nine totes – generated 10 yards on the ground in reaching the 1 before Jensen Livesay plowed across the line on a quarterback keeper for a 12-0 lead with 4:23 to go in the opening quarter.

Travohn Harvey later intercepted Austin quarterback Eli Arndt’s toss at the Cardinals’ 18 before Fairmont erupted for two long-distance gainers. Livesay – who completed 7 of 11 passes for 111 yards – zipped a 26-yard completion to Bicknase before Thate sprinted around right end and accelerated by the Packers’ secondary for a 37-yard TD. Boe Kolbe kicked the PAT to stake Fairmont to a 19-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Landon Traetow’s tackle for a double-digit loss of yards pinned Austin on the next series and forced a punt. Williamson fielded it, followed the Cardinal wedge’s sealing wall 55 yards to paydirt and turned a somersault into the end zone for the creative TD. Kolbe kicked the PAT for a 26-0 lead at the 10:06 juncture of the second quarter.

“I hope the fans enjoyed the somersault because it’ll be the last one I do since I got a 15-yard penalty for it,” said a grinning Williamson.

Defensive lineman Reed Johnson later tipped Austin’s fourth-and-5 pass attempt at the line of scrimmage to regain possession for Fairmont at its own 39. Livesay chewed up 23 yards on a screen to Brock Rodning before capping the seven-play scoring drive with a 21-yard strike to Williamson, who eluded a would-be Packer tackler for the breakaway TD. Kolbe’s kick made it 33-0 with 6:01 remaining before intermission.

Linebacker Caiden Utesch and defensive company created another three-and-out sequence by the Packers before Carter Hanson delivered a historical punt return. Hanson alertly caught the kick on the run at Austin’s 45 and outsprinted every potential Packer tackler for a TD. Kolbe kicked the PAT for a 40-point margin with 4:14 left before halftime.

After Fairmont delivered another three-and-out series, Livesay connected with Williamson on a pivotal 31-yard pass play into the left flat to reach the 3. Bicknase maneuvered up the middle for the score to cap the Cardinals’ point production at 46 with 12 seconds to go before intermission.

Fairmont linebacker Alex Fredriksen’s steal of the football from an Austin runner at the 3-yard line and ensuing 57-yard fumble return highlighted a scoreless second half.

Fairmont (2-2) plays host to Albert Lea for Homecoming next Friday night (Oct. 2) at 7 PM back at Thomas Mahoney Field. Austin (0-4) plays host to Plainview-Elgin-Millville at 7 PM next Friday at Wescott Sports Complex.

Austin 0 0 0 0 – 0

Fairmont 19 27 0 0 – 46

SCORING PLAYS

1st Quarter

FHS: Keyon Schutz 5 run (conversion failed), 7:55.

FHS: Jensen Livesay 1 run (kick failed), 4:23.

FHS: Ryder Thate 37 run (Boe Kolbe kick), 0:00.

2nd Quarter

FHS: Brayden Williamson 55 punt return (Boe Kolbe kick), 10:06.

FHS: Brayden Williamson 21 pass from Jensen Livesay (Boe Kolbe kick), 6:01.

FHS: Carter Hanson 45 punt return (Boe Kolbe kick), 4:14.

FHS: Mason Bicknase 3 run (kick failed), 0:12.

3rd Quarter

No Scoring.

4th Quarter

No Scoring.

TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs: Fairmont 16; Austin 10. Rushing: Fairmont 40-229; Austin 26-57. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 7-11-0-111; Austin 6-17-1-58. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 1-0; Austin 3-1. Penalties: Fairmont 3-31; Austin 3-30.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Offense: Rushing: Fairmont: Ryder Thate 9-104, Mason Bicknase 7-42, Keyon Schutz 5-30. Austin: Lukas Jorgenson 13-50. Passing: Jensen Livesay (FHS) 7-11-0-111; Eli Arndt (A) 6-17-1-58. Receiving: Fairmont: Brayden Williamson 3-50, Mason Bicknase 2-30, Brock Rodning 1-23, Preston Geerdes 1-8. Austin: Jamison Bastyr 3-22, Talan Hall 2-14, Lukas Jorgenson 1-22.

Defense: Interception: Travohn Harvey (FHS). Fumble Recovery: Alex Frederiksen (FHS).

By Charlie Sorrells

Web Prep Writer

WASECA – Class AAA No. 4-ranked Waseca produced two special-team gems and a near pick-6 to extend a white-knuckled 7-0 halftime lead on the strength of 21 third-quarter points en route to a Southeast Central Red District football shutout of the Fairmont Cardinals on Friday night in Waseca.

Junior running back Samuel Selthun churned out a game-best 143 rushing yards on 22 totes, junior quarterback Kellen Klinger collected 91 total yards of offense and two rushing touchdowns, while senior cornerback Owen Rupe delivered a pivotal interception, two quarterback sacks and two PAT kicks to highlight the Bluejays’ 28-0 triumph over the Cardinals.

“We matched Waseca play-for-play for the first 20 minutes to keep the game tied at zero, so I’m proud of our guys’ effort during the first half,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney, whose team managed to trail Waseca by only a touchdown despite a 151-to-1 disadvantage in total yards during the initial two quarters. “We made a big special teams stop during the beginning of the second quarter but couldn’t capitalize on our field position.”

Fairmont linebacker Caiden Utesch, who had dropped Selthun for a rare 2-yard loss on third-and-7 at the Cardinals’ 36, sacked Klinger – who’s also the Bluejays’ punter – for a 14-yard setback via a potential kick on fourth-and-9 to regain possession.

Linebacker Jacob Knutson’s clutch tackle on a Fairmont run for a 3-yard loss helped to eventually regain the football for Waseca one series later, and Klinger and the Bluejays created the only points of the first half. Selthun maneuvered for 22 yards on back-to-back carries before Klinger combined two completions to Titan Rahe for 30 more to venture into Cardinal territory.

Facing a third-and-7 at Fairmont’s 12, a Waseca running back lost control of the pigskin that bounced near the 3-yard line and into the end zone, where Owen Honstad alertly executed a grass-staining head-first slide under a pile of Cardinal defenders to recover the football for a TD. Rupe kicked the PAT to stake the Bluejays to a 7-0 lead with 4:06 remaining in the first half.

Cardinal defensive back Travohn Harvey intercepted a Klinger toss at the Fairmont 25 with 56 seconds remaining in the opening half to keep Waseca off of the scoreboard heading into the lockerroom.

“The football literally did not bounce our way to open the third quarter,” said Mahoney, “and that play really flipped the field on us.”

Xander Rivera-Arett’s upending hit on the Cardinal kick returner jarred the football into the awaiting arms of Archer O’Brien, who returned the airborne fumble to Fairmont’s 20 during the first play of the second half.

Selthun then displayed his team-oriented style by delivering a path-clearing block that allowed Klinger to gain the 1 via a 6-yard run before Klinger rumbled across the goal line from there for a 13-0 lead as the ensuing PAT kick sailed wide at the 8:51 juncture of the third.

Rupe’s quarterback sack for an 11-yard loss later forced a Fairmont punt before Nolan Dufault reeled off a 35-yard return to put the Bluejays in business at the Cardinals’ 30. Selthun hammered his way to the 1 before Isaiah Dymeck crossed the goal line on a short run. Klinger muscled through the line for the 2-point conversion to widen Waseca’s lead to 21-0 with 5:14 left in the third.

Rupe then stepped in front of a Jensen Livesay toss to the flat and returned the interception 19 yards to the Cardinals’ 6. Klinger capped the two-play drive with a 6-yard keeper for six more points before Rupe kicked the extra point for a 28-point lead at 3:32 in the third.

Freshman Ryder Thate generated a team-leading 44 yards on six carries during Fairmont’s final offensive series of the district clash as both teams battled to a scoreless fourth frame.

Fairmont (1-2) plays its home-opener during Week 4 when it hosts Austin at 7 PM Friday night (Sept. 25) at Thomas Mahoney Field, while Waseca (3-0) travels to Norwood Young America to face Central in its game next Friday night.

Fairmont           0   0   0  0 –  0

Waseca            0   7 21  0 – 28

SCORING PLAYS

1st Quarter

No Scoring.

2nd Quarter

WAS: Owen Honstad fumble recovery in end zone (Owen Rupe kick), 4:06.

3rd Quarter

WAS: Kellen Klinger 1 run (kick failed), 8:51.

WAS: Isaiah Dymeck (Kellen Klinger run), 5:14.

WAS: Kellen Klinger 6 run (Owen Rupe kick), 3:32.

4th Quarter

No Scoring.

TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs: Waseca 12; Fairmont 6. Rushing: Waseca 40-197; Fairmont 25-58. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Waseca 6-12-1-47; Fairmont 5-9-1-35. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 4-1; Waseca 2-0. Penalties: Waseca 4-30; Fairmont 2-10.

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INDIVIDUAL STATS

Offense: Rushing: Samuel Selthun (WAS) 22-143, Kellen Klinger (WAS) 11-44; Ryder Thate (FMT) 6-44. Passing: Klinger (WAS) 6-12-1-47; Jensen Livesay (FMT) 5-9-1-35. Receiving: Titan Rahe (WAS) 4-36; Travohn Harvey (FMT) 3-26.

Defense: Interceptions: Travohn Harvey (FMT) and Owen Rupe (WAS). Fumble recovery: Archer O’Brien (WAS). Sacks for loss: Owen Rupe (WAS) 2 QBs for minus-18; Caiden Utesch (FMT) 1 Punter for minus-14.

By Charlie Sorrells

Web Prep Writer

NEW ULM – If prep athletes don’t believe the benefits of summertime workouts, just ask New Ulm junior quarterback Owen Castleman.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Castleman capped two of the Eagles’ four scoring drives with 1-yard touchdown keepers and threaded a 32-yard TD toss to Jayden Broste to help power New Ulm to a 30-0 football triumph over the Fairmont Cardinals on Friday night in New Ulm.

“We’ve really come together as a team this year,” said Castleman, who completed 2 of 5 passes for 44 yards and the one score – without an interception. “Everybody (teammates) spent time in the weight room during the offseason to get bigger and stronger, and it paid off tonight.”

Ironically, Castleman – tipping the scales at a mere 175 pounds a year ago – threw three of the Eagles’ four interceptions and netted only 8 total passing yards in his team’s 43-8 loss in 2025. That was not the case for the sculpted New Ulm signal-caller on Friday night as his team defeated Fairmont for the first time since a 41-26 decision at Thomas Mahoney Field in 2014.

“It’s back to the drawing board for us,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney. “We’re going to have to retool a number of things on both offense and defense in order to get prepared for a quality team like Waseca.”

Nickelback Owen Terfehr and the Cardinal defense halted the Eagles’ initial drive before defensive back George Gag and his New Ulm teammates returned the favor after only six snaps by Fairmont’s offense.

Parker Ranweiler – who matched teammate Jeffrey Kral with 76 rushing yards apiece to pace the Eagles’ 201-yard, time-consuming ground game – grabbed a 12-yard screen from Castleman and later dragged defenders during a key 15-yard run to eventually set up Castleman’s keeper up the middle for six points. Kaden Steuber kicked the PAT for a 7-0 New Ulm lead with only 2:33 left in the first quarter.

Terfehr’s clutch 12-yard quarterback sack helped the Cardinals stymie the Eagles’ ensuing possession before University of North Dakota football commit Isaiah Friese utilized his 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame to deliver New Ulm’s first plus-side turnover. Friese blocked Fairmont’s punt and Broste pounced on the loose football at the Cardinals’ 20-yard line.

Hunter Heil’s 18-yard end-around sweep later reached the 10 on the heels of a New Ulm holding penalty before Ranweiler broke tackle attempts over left guard to cover the distance for a TD. Steuber’s kick doubled New Ulm’s margin to 14-0 with 8:56 left in the second quarter.

An unsportsmanlike infraction backed up Fairmont on the next possession and forced them to punt again. The 35-mile-per-hour gusts knocked down the Cardinals’ special-teams kick after traveling just 13 yards before Owen Castleman’s 32-yard strike to Broste over the middle on a fourth-and-7 play widened New Ulm’s lead. Steuber’s PAT kick made it 21-0 at the 6:13 mark of the second frame.

A personal foul penalty on New Ulm allowed Fairmont to eventually reach the Eagles’ 35 with time winding down before Miles Castleman stripped the Cardinal ball carrier on a run before Ranweiler scooped up the fumble to help preserve a 21-0 halftime edge.

Wideout Brayden Williamson’s option pass to tight end Preston Geerdes for a 24-yard completion to the 44 off the gadget-play toss from Livesay – combined with Livesay’s completions to Travohn Harvey for 14 and 9 yards, respectively – marched Fairmont to the New Ulm 11 with time winding down in the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, another gadget pass play and two more incompletions turned the football back over to the Eagles.

Kral later accelerated up the middle, cut, juked and sprinted 65 yards to reach the Fairmont 2 to set up Castleman’s second 1-yard TD push with 10:17 remaining in regulation.

New Ulm received a safety at the 3:20 juncture when Fairmont fumbled a long snap in the end zone and fell on the miscue to close out the point production.

Fairmont (1-1) travels to Waseca for a 7 PM kickoff Friday night (Sept. 18) against the undefeated host Bluejays (2-0), while New Ulm (2-0) hits the road to Albert Lea for its Week 3 game.

Fairmont 0 0 0 0 – 0

New Ulm 7 14 0 9 – 30

SCORING PLAYS

1st Quarter

NU: Owen Castleman 1 run (Kaden Steuber kick), 2:33.

2nd Quarter

NU: Parker Ranweiler 10 run (Steuber kick), 8:56.

NU: Jayden Broste 32 pass from Castleman (Steuber kick), 6:13.

3rd Quarter

No Scoring.

4th Quarter

NU: Castleman 1 run (Steuber kick), 10:17.

NU: Fairmont recovered own fumble in end zone for safety, 3:20.

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TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs: Fairmont 9; New Ulm 8. Rushing: New Ulm 37-201; Fairmont 25-34. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 9-24-0-83; New Ulm 2-5-0-44. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 5-2; New Ulm 1-0. Penalties: Fairmont 5-54; New Ulm 6-45.

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INDIVIDUAL STATS

Offense: Rushing: Parker Ranweiler (NU) 13-76, Jeffrey Kral (NU) 3-76; Keyon Schutz (FHS) 13-21, Mason Bicknase (FHS) 5-18. Passing: Jensen Livesay (FHS) 7-22-0-59, Brayden Williamson (FHS) 1-1-0-24; Castleman (NU) 2-5-0-44. Receiving: Fairmont: Brayden Williamson 3-23, Travohn Harvey 3-23, Owen Terfehr 2-13, Preston Geerdes 1-24; Jayden Broste (NU) 1-32.

Defense: Fumble Recovery: Parker Ranweiler (NU). Blocked Punt Recovery: Broste (NU). Blocked Punt: Isaiah Friese (NU).

By Charlie Sorrells  

Web Prep Writer  

WORTHINGTON – Turnover after turnover after turnover …

Fairmont’s swarming defense created a single-game school-record seven turnovers – four interceptions and three fumble recoveries – while halfback Keyon Schutz rushed for two touchdowns and senior quarterback Jensen Livesay made his varsity debut by throwing for a game-best 193 yards and one TD apiece to Brayden Williamson and Owen Terfehr to highlight the Cardinals’ 34-0 season-opening triumph over Worthington on Friday night.

“Seven turnovers is quite a statistic in itself. Obviously, our defense played lights out and our offense capitalized on the good field position for three of our five scores tonight,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney. “I’m proud of our effort on both sides of the football, but we still have work to do as we committed three turnovers ourselves.

“I thought Jensen and the offense established our passing game right away during our first possession and got us off to a positive start.”

Cardinal nose guard Ethan Farnum’s flattening tackle for a 3-yard loss stymied the Trojans’ initial running play and forced a punt three snaps later.

Livesay zipped a key 12-yard strike to Travohn Harvey to convert a third-and-7 situation before connecting with Terfehr on a tackle-breaking, diving-to-the-pylon 27-yard touchdown by the senior wideout for a 6-0 lead. Boe Kolbe kicked the PAT for a seven-point edge with 8:06 remaining in the first quarter.

Williamson – who produced a game-leading 126 yards on four catches – delivered a pair of clutch plays for Fairmont during the next three series, but the visitors could not capitalize on the scoreboard. The fleet-footed Williamson juked his way to a 30-yard punt return and later garnered an interception, but Worthington held its ground behind Kason Spartz’s key run stops in consecutive series.

Terfehr – who pocketed four spirals for 43 yards on offense – displayed his sure hands by intercepting Trojan starting quarterback Isaiah Schroeder and returning the pick-off nearly 40 yards to Worthington’s 3 early in the second quarter. Schutz covered the remaining distance on an off-tackle run for six points. Kolbe nailed the extra point for a 14-0 lead at the 9:45 mark.

Linebacker Mason Bicknase and Fairmont’s defense prevented Worthington safety Hudson Scheepstra’s interception from setting up a score before Livesay and Williamson went to the airwaves with time winding down toward intermission.

Livesay hit Williamson in the flat before the senior speedster stutter-stepped a defender, broke a tackle, sprinted by three more Trojans, broke a couple of more tackles and covered up a slip of the football in the end zone for a TD covering 68 yards. Kolbe’s kick extended the Cardinals’ margin to 21-0 at the 2:55 mark.

Kolbe needed just 5 seconds to pocket Worthington’s fumble off of Kaden Bell’s ensuing kickoff at the Trojans’ 23 before Bicknase blasted into the end zone from 9 yards out to cap a four-play scoring drive with only 38 seconds left before halftime. Kolbe kicked the PAT for a 28-0 advantage.

Fairmont’s Luther Malo pocketed the first of his two fumble recoveries on the heels of teammate Reed Johnson’s football-jarring hit to offset Spartz’s fumble pick-off for Worthington during the third quarter’s early stages.

Malo’s second recovery under a rugby-style scrum at the Trojans’ 5 one series later set up Schutz’s 5-yard TD run up the middle for a 34-0 margin with 6:44 left in the third.

Brayden Pooley and Gavin Schomberg each produced an interception for the Cardinals during the fourth segment to ice the season-opening shutout.

Fairmont (1-0) hits the road to New Ulm on Friday (Sept. 11) for a 7 PM kickoff against the hometown Eagles on Johnson Field. Worthington (0-1) travels to St. Peter on Friday night.

Fairmont 7 21 6 0 – 34

Worthington 0 0 0 0 – 0

SCORING PLAYS

1st Quarter

FHS: Owen Terfehr 27 pass from Jensen Livesay (Boe Kolbe kick), 8:06.

2nd Quarter

FHS: Keyon Schutz 3 run (Kolbe kick), 9:45.

FHS: Brayden Williamson 68 pass from Livesay (Kolbe kick), 2:55.

FHS: Mason Bicknase 9 run (Kolbe kick), 0:38.

3rd Quarter

FHS: Schutz 5 run (kick blocked), 6:44.

4th Quarter

No Scoring.

TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs: Fairmont 7; Worthington 6. Rushing: Fairmont 28-91; Worthington 34-25. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 11-22-2-193; Worthington 3-14-4-37. Fumbles-Lost: Fairmont 2-1; Worthington 6-3. Penalties: Fairmont 3-58; Worthington 5-55.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Offense: Rushing: Keyon Schutz (FHS) 12-68, Mason Bicknase (FHS) 5-22; Kian Ling (WOR) 5-19. Passing: Jensen Livesay (FHS) 11-21-2-193, Troy Peterson (FHS) 0-1-0-0; Isaiah Schroeder (WOR) 1-7-2-8, Keagan McCuen (WOR) 2-7-2-29. Receiving: Brayden Williamson (FHS) 4-126, Owen Terfehr (FHS) 4-43, Travohn Harvey (FHS) 2-20, Preston Geerdes (FHS) 1-4; Ethan Anderson (WOR) 2-29.

Defense: Interceptions: Fairmont: Brayden Williamson, Owen Terfehr, Brayden Pooley and Gavin Schomberg. Worthington: Hudson Scheepstra and Logan Kerkaert. Fumble Recoveries: Fairmont: Luther Malo 2, Boe Kolbe 1. Worthington: Austin Gruis 1.