AlBrook-Cotton Falls in Opener

Sept 5

Andrew Chalberg-NSO

SAGINAW – A new page in the long history of the AlBrook football program was written on Friday night in Saginaw. The Dan DuPay coaching era began against long time rival the Little Fork-Big Falls Vikings in a St. Louis County Conference contest with the Falcons falling by a score of 46-8.

Although the uniforms and the mascot were the same, the Falcons start the season with some new teammates from the Cotton School. Both schools have combined for football, all other sports programs will combine tentatively to begin in the fall of 2011 when a new school will be built in the town of Alborn. This will result in the closing of both AlBrook and Cotton schools.

High hopes and aspirations were quickly dashed as Little Fork- Big Falls Senior Running back Aaron McGuire ran 46 yards down the sideline on the first play from scrimmage. This would be the first of his six rushing touchdowns on the night, as the Vikings cruised to a 46-8 victory over the Falcons.

In addition to McGuire’s running effort, Senior Quarterback Tyler Lehman ran for a 10 yard touchdown and added the two point conversion, as the Vikings built a 34-0 half time lead and never looked back.

AlBrook-Cotton got on the board in the second half as Junior Quarterback Dan Wood connected with Senior Wide Receiver Bryce Karppinen on a 22 yard touchdown pass. Wood then ran in for the two point conversion.

Costly turnovers and mental mistakes would prevent the Falcons from any kind of rally. The Falcons will try to get Coach Dupay’s first victory against his old staff at Mountain-Iron Buhl on a rare afternoon contest this Saturday in MIB’s annual Hall of Fame game. Little Fork- Big Falls be at home this Friday against Cook.

Andrew Chalberg can be reached at andrew@northlandsportsonline.com