Kick lifts Crusaders past Rails

Photos by: Rod Behm

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

In the lowest scoring state semifinal or final game in Minnesota State football history it was a field goal from Alex Bornschlegl from 22 yards out which led the Crusaders to a 3-0 victory over the Proctor Rails at the Mall of America Field in Minneapolis Saturday afternoon.

Saturday afternoon state AAA match-up was more like a prize fight as you saw two teams slug it out defensively back and forth, back and forth in what would be described as a football purest style of game would end just three seconds shy of overtime.

Proctor who was playing in their first ever state semi final in their seventh state appearance saw the Crusaders out gain the Rails by a margin of almost 200 yards on the afternoon. St. Croix Lutheran finished with 281 total yards of offense, while the Rails managed only 86 yards on the day.

Joe Cater had the Rails longest run of the day on Proctors first play from scrimmage in the first quarter but the Rails struggled throughout the game as the Cater run of 26 yards was the best of the afternoon for the Rails.

The Crusaders struggled offensively as well Saturday as the high scoring, high octane offense which entered the semi final match-up averaging 44 points per game saw the Proctor defense answer the task all game long.

The Rails defense proved very effective and they finished with 9 tackles for a loss on the day. Andrew Kiminki and Calen Porter with four tackles for a loss in the game and Porter also led Proctor with 15 tackles on the day.

David Ponath hit Caleb Olson on a 30 yard pass down the sideline with under two minutes to play which set up the game winning field goal for the Crusaders.

Northland Sports Online would like to congratulate the Rails on an outstanding season this year. The Proctor Rails finished the season with an overall record of 9-3.