Half the fun

Saints roll over West Fork in weather-shortened game

By Kristi Nixon

ST. ANSGAR — St. Ansgar had just taken a 35-0 lead over West Fork at the 8-minute, 8-second mark in the second half when lightning was spotted and players and spectators alike were pulled off the field.

A little more than an hour later, the game was ended after both sides agreed to call the game final.

The Saints had won the physical battle against the Warhawks, with two different ball carriers, Tate Mayer and Connor King, rolling up more than 100 yards rushing behind solid line play on Friday, Sept. 2.

“We built off last week – I thought we did a good job on both sides of the ball – obviously we weren’t very good with ball security, and that cost us, but I thought we were able to establish ourselves up front,” coach Drew Clevenger said. “We were physical and the kids played well.”

King toted the ball unofficially eight times for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Mayer, who had a steady stream of carries in the first offensive series of the game for the Saints and got his lone touchdown on a short four-yard toss from Carsen Sparrow late in the first half, finished unofficially with 12-for-109 yards.

“We came out tonight and showed what we are this year,” Mayer said. “We finished blocks like we were supposed to. Last week, we didn’t do the best on that, but this week, we came out, finished our blocks, limited on penalties and turnovers and the two and a half quarters we played, we played good.

“When our line is burying their guys and our running backs are burying their guys, it’s real nice, we’ve got a big hole to run through. When we do that, we’re really hard to beat.”