Barnum to Face East Central in Section Finals

Dan Saletel-NSO

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Oct 30

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

BARNUM- Offense wins games and defense wins championships is the old adage in sports. The Barnum Bombers showed why they have the fifth rated defense in the state as the Bombers defeated the Chisholm Bluestreaks 13-0 on Saturday. The Bombers defense has posted their second straight shutout of the playoffs as they advance to the 7A section finals Thursday night at Public School Stadium in Duluth.

The Bombers used a bend but don’t break attitude on defense and stopped the Bluestreaks on four drives in which Chisholm had 1st and goal situations. Barnum used great pursuit in gang tackling and recorded seven sacks on the game including four by senior defensive end Justin Newman. Barnum all game long came up with great defensive stops whenever Chisholm had drives that they were moving the ball.

A scoreless first quarter in which Chisholm had three drives fall short in Barnum territory, two by great defensive stands and one fumble seemed to knock away any momentum Chisholm may have had. The second quarter saw the Bombers get on track offensively as Barnum recorded their first first-down of the game on a drive which resulted in a Josh Hogan 2 yard touchdown run. A huge 44 yard pass completion from Bobby Minkkinen to Hogan is what set up the first Bomber touchdown moments later. Justin Newman kicked the extra point and Barnum led 7-0 at the half.

The second half started with Barnum taking the kickoff and marching down the field and it was Hector Chavez who scored on a 15 yard touchdown run as Barnum then led 13-0 with 10:59 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point was no good off a high snap, but the Bombers needed no more scoring as they pitch the shutout over the Bluestreaks.

The Bombers, with the victory, move to the 7A section finals where they will face East Central. The Eagles advanced to the section Championship game with a 27-0 win over Ogilvie. This will be Barnum’s first appearance in the section finals since back in 2007 where the Bombers fell to Cook County 27-0.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@nortlandsportsonline.com