Top-ranked Saints fight through injuries to advance
By Kristi Nixon
ST. ANSGAR — With key players either out with an injury or limited in playing time, the St. Ansgar football team took a ‘next-man-up’ attitude and shook off a tough defensive Sibley-Ocheyedan team to advance to the round of 16 in the Class A playoffs on Friday, Oct. 20 with a 23-6 victory.
Senior running back/linebacker Christian Michels was in street clothes for the game with what he said was a knee injury, but not the one he’d suffered a season-ending injury with a few years ago, and not as serious. And, senior RB/LB/K Connor King appeared to come up limping after being tackled for a loss late in the first half. He was limited on kickoffs, and, after going 1-of-2 on PATs following the injury, was limited to playing some defense in the second half.
“We were a little bit short-handed,” coach Drew Clevenger said. “A couple of important players for us. So, it was important our next guys in were able step up and contribute, and they did that. They are moving on.
“I think they both will be back next week.”
Quarterback Jayce Schwiesow, who was 6-of-14 passing for 57 yards with no touchowns nor interceptions, had a lot of his passes broken up, particularly on would-be scores. He said that it was a solid effort from some of the younger players.
“We had some kids who really stepped up tonight,” Schwiesow said. “I can name a few: Tyson Kline, Korben Michels. They really stepped up tonight and they pay attention in practice, which is huge. They knew all the plays coming in, so hats off to them.”
The Saints (9-0) will have a rematch with their Week 7 opponent, Lake Mills (7-2), which is coming off of a 21-14 win over Nashua-Plainfield, at home this Friday night.
“The Lake Mills coaches have done a great job this year,” coach Clevenger said. “They returned their entire lineup from a year ago and they have made tremendous progress.
“They are a good football team. They are physical up front and have athletes at their skill positions. They have a variety of ways that they can attack you when they are on offense. We will need to be at our best or we will get beat.”
The full story, and more photos, will be found in the print and e-editions of the Oct. 25 Enterprise Journal.
