Esko Rushes Past Agates

By Dwight Cadwell
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Updated: October 31, 2014

Kerry Rodd – NSO

Photos By: Kevon Fulton

Esko relied on a vicious running attack to overcome the Two Harbors Agates in the Section 7AAA championship game on Thursday night. The Eskomos got a big night running the ball by both Jaxson Turner and Nick Emanuel as they pulled away to a 41-6 win and a spot in next weeks state football tournament.

Turner bolted for a 62 yard gain in the first quarter and that set up the games first touchdown which was a four-yard touchdown run by Turner with 4:29 remaining in the opening quarter. Ryan Bodie added the extra point kick and the Eskomos were up 7-0.

The Eskomos continued to pound the ball at the Agates in windy and snowy conditions at Malosky Stadium on the campus of UMD throughout the first half. That effort paid off in the second quarter as Emanuel slashed his way for a 50-yard touchdown early in the quarter and Bodie’s kick made it 14-0.

Turner scrambled in from the 18 later in the quarter as the Eskomos lead ballooned to 21-0 after the kick by Bodie and that’s how things stood at halftime.

By halftime Turner had run for over 140 yards and he and Emanuel were virtual wrecking balls courtesy of the strong offensive line play by Esko.

Emanuel kicked things off in the third quarter by finding Jack Kuhlman open for a 50-yard touchdown pass and catch making it 28-0 following the boot by Bodie. Turner later added a 10-yard touchdown run that pushed the lead to 35-0 after the kick.

Two Harbors finally got on the board at the beginning of the fourth quarter on a Lucas Kempfler 21-yard touchdown run, but that was answered by another Eskomo score when Kuhlman raced in from the 20-yard line to make the final 41-6.

Turner ended the game with 184 yards rushing and Emanuel did his part with 93 yards rushing from the quarterback position.

The Eskomos won the Section 7AAA and advance to the state tournament with an 8-2 record. Esko’s next game will be at noon on Saturday at St. Cloud State against the winner of of New London-Spicer and Melrose from Section 6AAA.