Windom 00-00-07-06 = 13
RV 00-20-00-14 = 34
The Windom Eagle football team couldn’t overcome an early deficit Tuesday night, dropping a 34-13 decision to Redwood Valley in the Section 3AA playoffs at Redwood Falls.
The Cardinals used a ball-control offense that held the ball nearly the entire first quarter of the game. Windom ran just three offensive plays in the opening quarter, as the Cardinals put together two lengthy drives. The first drive ended with a fumble, that the Eagles’ Jackson Anderson recovered and returned to nearly midfield, but the Eagles went three-and-out.
Windom’s punt pinned the Cardinals at their own 1-yard line, but Redwood Valley set out on a 15-play, 99-yard drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown run for a 6-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter.
Going into the wind in the second quarter, the Eagle offense was again forced to punt, with Redwood needing just two plays and two Eagle penalties to cover 59 yards. A 20-yard touchdown run gave the Cardinals a 13-0 lead.
Windom fumbled on its next possession, but the Cardinals turned the ball over on a fumble recovered by Carter Rossow. The Eagles then hit a 47-yard pass to move into Cardinal territory, but could not move any further.
Redwood Valley moved quickly downfield, scoring on a 13-yard pass to take a 20-0 lead.
The Eagles were able to put together a driver to close out the half, but a 26-yard field goal attempt into the wind as time expire was blocked, leaving the score 20-0 at the half.
The Eagles were able to break through for a score late in the third quarter, capping a 68-yard, 12-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Charlie Erickson to Jackson Joyce. The extra point kick by Alex Gomez cut the deficit to 20-7.
But the Cardinals answered, scoring on a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter for a 27-7 lead.
Windom was able to move deep into Cardinal territory before turning the ball over on downs, but the Eagles got the ball back on a Kevin Bleess interception, which set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Erickson to Bleess to cut the deficit to 27-13.
But after the teams traded fumbles, the Cardinals sealed the game with a 44-yard touchdown run.
Erickson completed 23-of-38 passes for 300 yards in the game and added 66 yards rushing on 20 attempts.
Stevie Meyer had nine catches for 131 yards, while Bleess added 97 yards receiving on seven catches.
WWG 06-06-00-00 = 12
RRC 14-22-20-00 = 56
Red Rock Central pulled away after trading early scores Tuesday night, claiming a 56-12 victory over Westbrook-Walnut Grove in the Section 2 Nine-Player playoffs at Lamberton.
The Falcons scored on their first five drives of the game and seven of their first eight drives.
RRC rushed for 321 yards in the contest as a team and RRC’s defense forced WWG into six turnovers.
The Falcons got the offense going on their first drive of the game, scoring on a 47-yard Carter Therkilsen run.
WWG answered, as Neil Kuehl scored on a 5-yard run to cut RRC’s lead to 8-6.
The Falcons added added a touchdown late in the first quarter on a 1-yard Abe Stavnes run for a 14-6 lead.
WWG cut the deficit to 14-12 on a 2-yard run by Kuehl, but the Falcons took control after that, scoring 42 unanswered points.
Therkilsen gave RRC a 20-12 lead with a 53-yard touchdown run. The Falcons then took a 28-12 lead when Stavnes hit Jordan Therkilsen for a 29-yard touchdown.
Stavnes added a 9-yard touchdown pass to Austin Imker to take a 36-12 halftime lead.
Early in the third quarter, the Falcon defense struck as Carter Therkilsen recorded a strip-sack. Jordan Therkilsen returned the fumble 68 yards for a touchdown and a 44-12 lead.
Carter Therkilsen added a 47-yard touchdown run. The Falcons capped the scoring on a 2-yard Mason Huffman touchdown run.
Carter Therkilsen rushed 10 times for 220 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Stavnes completed 5-of-7 passes for 92 yards. Jordan Therkilsen and Carter Therkilsen each had 34 yards receiving.
Next games: Check for updates after each game.
MLA: vs. Edgerton (at Mt. Lake), Oct. 26
RRC: at RCW (Danube), Oct. 26
