Esko Opens New Era With Victory

Photos by: Wes Vork

Eskomos Christen new Field with Victory

ESKO- It’s the brand new home of the Esko Eskomos football and soccer teams and the new name has yet to be chosen but the name was the last thing on the mind of fans and those just wanting to be a part of something new as the Esko Eskomos met the Two Harbors Agates in a high school football match-up and it was the Eskomos knocking off the previously unbeaten Agates by a score of 28-14.

The new stadium currently called Eskomos Stadium Field until the new name chosen saw several pregame activities which included two parachutists that dropped on to the field with the game ball, members of the first football team in Esko history do the honorary coin flip, a special ribbon cutting ceremony, the 2013 homecoming and homecoming court, and fans who started to gather at the new field before 3 pm for the 5 pm kickoff.

With an estimated 2500 people in attendance or watching from afar the fans were treated to the Eskomos opening up to a quick lead as they went on to the home win. Mark Peterson connected with Rick Johnson in the first quarter on a 61 yard reception which set up an 8 yard touchdown run by John Carr. Carr added a another touchdown of 1 yard again following a huge pass play from Peterson this time to Aaron Olson who made a one handed grab and was pushed out at the 1 yard line.

Esko added one more score in the first half when Earl Brinkley scored on a 59 yard touchdown run with 12 seconds remaining in the first half. Brinkley’s run down the sideline saw Brinkley carrying several Agate players into the end zone as Esko held a 20-0 lead at the break.

Esko added to their lead in the third quarter when Jaxson Turner connected with Aaron Olson on a 49 yard touchdown pass which came out of the half back option and Esko extended their lead 28-0. Olson finished with 6 receptions for 117 yards on the night.

The Agates didn’t go away without a fight Friday night as the Agates added a third quarter touchdown when Kyler Kinn scored from 4 yards out and another touchdown run in the fourth quarter cut the lead to 14 but the Agates got no closer as the Eskomos beat the unbeaten Agates.

The Eskomos rushed for 164 yards on the ground with Carr leading the Esko rushers with 64 yards on the ground. Peterson finished 9-11 for 187 yards on the night as Esko wins their third straight game and improves to 3-2 on the season overall.

Besides two touchdown runs from Kinn he finished with 149 yards rushing on 26 carries, Lucas Kempffer chipped in with 87 yards on the ground. Two Harbors entered the game averaging over 400 yards on the ground, and they finished with 307 yard rushing on the night. The Agates only produced 24 yards through the air in the loss.

The Eskomos will be back in action again next Friday night when they face Proctor at Terry Egerdahl field in a rematch of last season section 7AAA title game where the Eskomos were victorious.

The Agates with the loss fall to 4-1 on the season and they will face Duluth Marshall next Friday afternoon at Marshall High School.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at Dwight@northlandsportsonline.com