Jacks Fall to Delano

Photos by Myrissa Laithinen

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Cloquet Lumberjacks who were making their first appearance in the state football tournament in 26 years treated their fans to a most memorable match up with Delano at St. Cloud State University, even though the Jacks lost 61-33 their fans will remember this game for years to come as it showed how the Lumberjacks hard work has paid off and has the program heading in the right direction for what seems to be a long time to come.

With 94 total points put up on the scoreboard Friday it was obvious that the Lumberjacks were not going to back down from the larger Delano squad which boasted two division one prospects on its roster. The Lumberjacks fought tooth and nail all game long but int he end a turnover in the third quarter proved costly as the Tigers would capitalize on the third quarter mistake and forced the Lumberjacks to play catch up in a game which was much closer then the score indicated.

“We played a great first half” Head Coach Tom Lenarz told Northland Sports Online, “The second half saw them and their quarterback Hansen break away for a huge touchdown run, them we turn the ball over on the kickoff they had a short field and we had to play catch up the rest of the night.”

Henry Backus put Cloquet in front 7-0 when he scored on a 3 yard touchdown run, and the Jacks would take a 7-0 lead into the second quarter. The Tigers tied the score at 6-6 when Toby Hanson threw the first of three touchdown passes on the night to Adam Kraft. Kraft would catch all three touchdown passes for Delano. Hanson besides throwing for three touchdowns rushed for three more on the night as he proved to be a difference maker for the Tigers.

Kyle Klatt scored on two touchdown runs for Cloquet, one from 20 yards and the other coming from 49 yards out. Maxx Brenner connected twice with Dylan McIvor one for 20 yards and the other from 12 yards out to account for the Lumberjacks scoring in the state AAAA quarterfinals.

The Lumberjacks led 19-18 at halftime, but 43 second half points were to much for the Lumberjacks to over come. Cloquet finishes its season with a overall record of 9-2. Delano improves to 10-1 and they will move on to face Hutchinson (12-0) next Thursday afternoon in a battle of the Tigers. Hutchinson handed Delano its only loss this season with a 30-14.

Northland Sports Online would like to congratulate the Lumberjacks on a fine season and wish coach Lenarz and his staff good luck in the future..