ML-WR Is “Domeward” Bound

Wes Vork-NSO

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Nov 12

Wes Vork-NSO

FARGO N.D. – Moose Lake – Willow River and Hawley met Thursday evening in the Fargodome in Fargo North Dakota for a quarterfinal match-up in the Minnesota State Class AA Football Tournament. In a game that could be compared in most every way to a boxing match between two veteran heavyweights, both matched the other blow-for-blow until the final play of the game in which Rajean Carlson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in overtime to give the Rebels a 41-35 victory.

Rebels assistant James Bohaty described the game as the best he has seen in a while, which says something considering Bohaty was at the Kohl Center in Madison the night before watching from the bench as his brother Joey, and the UWS Yellowjackets basketball team took on the Wisconsin Badgers. “This was definitely more exciting to be at,” Bohaty told NSO after the game. James Bohaty, who returned home from Madison around 3:00am and made it to the teams pep fest at 9:00am was also happy for Rebels Head Coach Dave Louzek, pointing out that this was not only a terrific game , it was Louzek’s 100th career win at Moose Lake-Willow River.

The first quarter saw both teams start with a three and out on their first series. On the next drive the Rebels would strike first on a 4-yard td run by Michael Unzen. Michael Bennett tacked on the extra point and the Rebels were up 7-0. Hawley answered on their next drive scoring on a 12-yard touchdown pass. The extra point kick was wide to the left however and the Rebels led 7-6 after one quarter.

In the second quarter, after a ML-WR punt, Hawley scored on their first play from scrimmage with a 57-yd touchdown run and tacked on a two point conversion. Then, like two fighters matching each other blow for blow Unzen scored from two yards out and with a Bennett extra point the score was once again tied at 21 all.

In what appeared at the time to be a knockout blow, with Hawley marching in for the go ahead score, Nick Kenemore stepped in front of a Hawley pass attempt and returned the interception 61 yards for a Rebel Touchdown. The turnover with just 22 seconds on the clock, the only one for either team in the game sent the two squads to the locker room with the Rebels leading 28-21 at the half.

Any thoughts of the Nuggets staying on the mat were quickly put to rest, when on the first drive of the second half they marched down the field deep into Rebel territory. However, in one of many big plays in the game, on fourth down from the two yard line Carlson, with help from teammate Holden Olson, stopped Hawley quarterback Taylor Harms just short of the goal line, ending the drive.

Later in the third quarter Hawley managed to score on what started out to be a screen pass, ended when a Rebel hit caused a fumble that bounced directly to another Hawley player for the touchdown. The Nuggets elected to go for two rather than try a kick and were stopped, allowing the Rebels to cling to a 28-27 lead.

With 1:49 left in the game, Michael Unzen scored his third touchdown of the game on an eight yard run, and after Bennett’s fifth extra point of the game, it appeared the Rebels had a little breathing room at 35-27.

However, once again the Nuggets would not go away, putting together a drive which ended with backup quarterback Jay Boyer throwing a 14-yard td pass to Nugget quarterback Harms, who was split out as a receiver, bringing Hawley within two at 35-33. Harms then ran the option to perfection, pitching to Nathan Mattson, who scored the two point conversion, tying the game and forcing overtime at 35-35. After the game, Coach Louzek talked about the Nuggets working their way back, telling NSO. “They have been to the state tournament 5 years in a row; they are a very good veteran team that knows what they have to do at this level.”

What needs to be pointed out is that the Rebels, who have been in the state semi-finals three out of the last four years, are also a very good veteran team that knows what it takes to be successful at this level. With ML-WR winning the coin toss and electing to play defense in overtime they used their big game experience to stop Hawley from scoring on the first possession of overtime. Then, taking possession on offense, Carlson scored the game winning touchdown on third and one sending the Rebel faithful into a frenzy.

Carlson, who has taken some snaps at quarterback throughout the year for the Rebels lined up at quarterback on the play. “When I came under center I noticed they [Hawley] stacked the line with six or seven guys, the play was supposed to go outside to the left, but I saw a crack up the middle and fought my hardest to get in.” Carlson told NSO. Carlson agreed the game was like a veteran heavyweight fight. Telling NSO “From the get-go we knew they would try to pound it, they are fast and physical, we talked all week about needing to match it and do just a little more, It went the full 15 rounds tonight”.

After the score Carlson was swarmed by his Rebel teammates who created a huge pile near the goal line. “It really hurt, there must have been 30 kids on top of me, but it was the best pain I have felt in my life” Carlson mentioned.

Coach Louzek was proud of the overall effort put forth by his squad, telling NSO after the game. “All eleven guys played hard on every play all night, at this level you can’t take a play off and expect to win, we keep talking about taking the next step. There are six playoff games, so far we have won four and have two to go.”

With the win the Rebels move on to the state class AA semi-finals at the Metrodome on Friday Nov 20. They will face the winner of the Luverne vs. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop game, which will be played on Nov 14th at Gustavus-Adolphus.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com