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FERTILE-BELTRAMI ADVANCES TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BEHIND EVERETT BALSTAD’S 4 TD’S

The Fertile-Beltrami Falcons clinched their spot in the State 9-man Prep Bowl Championship Friday morning, defeating Hills-Beaver Creek 30-22 in a game played at U.S. Bank Stadium. Everett Balstad managed to score four touchdowns in the game after only two carries in the first half, and the Falcons did just enough to keep their dream of a State Championship alive.  It will be the first State Football Championship game for Fertile-Beltrami.  “It is unbelievable,” said Falcon Coach Brian Nelson. “It will be the first time in Fertile-Beltrami Football we have been to a state championship game.  In 2006 we ended up about a yard away from a first down (and a possible trip).  It was a hard-fought game and I am so proud of our kids.”

FIRST-QUARTER –

While the Falcons won the game, the first half was controlled by the Patriots. The first half saw both teams combine for just five offensive possessions. Fertile-Beltrami won the coin toss and elected to kick giving Hills-Beaver Creek the first possession of the game. Hills-Beaver Creek immediately made their presence felt on the offensive line, as they would march 82 yards down the field for a score. The Patriots ran the ball the first six plays of the game picking up three first downs on runs of 14, 10, and 9 yards to quickly move the ball into Fertile-Beltrami territory. A few plays later, facing a short third-down, the Patriots would keep the ball on the ground again, as Casey Kueter would plow up the middle for a first down, setting up a first and goal. On third and goal from the two-yard line, Hills-Beaver Creek would run the ball once more, and Cole Baker would find the end zone giving the Patriots the early lead with 5:28 left in the first quarter. The two-point conversion would fail to keep it 6-0. The opening drive went 14 plays, all of which were runs, and picked up 6 first downs taking 6:28 of game clock. Fertile-Beltrami would respond with a scoring drive of their own thanks to two big plays and excellent field position. Rylin Petry found Ryan Van Den Einde deep down the field for a 39-yard pass completion inside the Patriots 20-yard line. Facing a third-down and long, Rylin Petry found Everett Balstad in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown pass to give the Falcons their first and only score of the half. The two-point conversion would fail leaving the score 6-6 with 3:18 to play in the first quarter. “We have some tricky routes where we try to get Everett the ball,” said Coach Nelson. “We were able to exploit that a little bit because they probably haven’t seen it.  Rylin has been doing a great job throwing the ball all season long with 800 yards, 14 touchdowns and only one interception.” Hills-Beaver Creek would be backed up inside their own 20-yard line to begin their second drive, and facing a third-down and short, continued to run the football effectively picking up a first down to keep the drive alive at the end of the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER –

Facing a third-down and long, the Patriots would be forced to attempt their first pass of the game. It wouldn’t leave Oliver Deelstra’s hands, however, as Tyler Stuhaug raced through the offensive line for a sack forcing a Patriots punt. With a chance to take their first lead of the game, the Falcons could only muster 1 first down, as the Hills-Beaver Creek defense stood tall forcing a Fertile-Beltrami punt. For the third straight drive, the Patriots would start inside their own 20-yard line after an excellent punt from the Falcons. At the time, the teams didn’t know it, but the Patriots drive would be the longest of the game and the last one of the first half. After picking up a first-down, Hills-Beaver Creek would face a third-down and short, and this time complete a pass for a first down, as Oliver Deelstra found Andrew Harris for a 12-yard gain. The Falcons defense would force the Patriots into a fourth-down and one, and Hills-Beaver Creek would elect to go for it with just 2:57 remaining in the first half. Casey Kueter ran straight up the middle picking up the first down and moving the ball inside the Fertile-Beltrami 30-yard line. Hills-Beaver Creek continued to bleed the clock and keep the Falcons offense off the field. Facing a third-down and ten from the 19-yard line, Hills-Beaver Creek would go to the air, and Oliver Deelstra would throw a strike to Drew Leenderts for a 19-yard touchdown pass with just 0:20 remaining in the first half. Casey Kueter would complete the two-point conversion run, giving Hills-Beaver Creek a 14-6 lead heading into the halftime break, as they left Fertile-Beltrami with no time to move the football down the field. The drive took 9:01 and went 15 plays 88 yards picking up 5 first downs. Fertile-Beltrami had only two possessions in the first half, as Hills-Beaver Creek dominated the time of possession, running 37 offensive plays compared to 10 for Fertile-Beltrami. Of the 37 plays, 32 were runs for 143 yards, and the Patriots outgained the Falcons 204-73 in Total Offense through the first twenty-four minutes.  “We played well and weren’t panicked at all,” said Coach Nelson. “We knew we were going to get the ball to start the second half and know the second half is our best half.”

THIRD QUARTER –

Fertile-Beltrami would flip the script in the second half and take control of the football game. After only two offensive possessions in the first half, The Falcons received the second-half kickoff and found the end zone with one of their best drives of the game. The Falcons would pick up two first downs on their first three plays but then face a fourth down and four on the Patriots 40-yard line. They would go for it on fourth down, and on what was the biggest play early in the second half Rylin Petry found Everett Balstad for a 27-yard pass down to the Hills-Beaver Creek 13-yard line. A few plays later on a third down, Everett Balstad rumbled up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown run. Rylin Petry would find Austin Bjerk on the two-point conversion tying the game at 14-14 with 7:23 to play in the third quarter. After only two carries in the first half, Balstad ran the ball five times for 27 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half. The Falcons defense also came out of the half ready to play, forcing the Patriots into a punt on their opening possession of the second half. Fertile-Beltrami would take over on their own 48-yard line with 3:51 remaining in the third quarter. The game plan coming out of halftime was to get Everett Balstad the football, and that’s exactly what Fertile Beltrami did. Balstad would score his third touchdown of the game and his second rushing on a 30-yard run giving the Falcons their first lead of the game. Isaiah Wright would convert the two-point conversion putting Fertile-Beltrami ahead 22-14 with 1:29 remaining in the third quarter. “The line was awesome today,” said Everett. “They were pushing guys all over the place and made it easy for us to run the ball.” The Patriots needed a score, and after picking up a first down, would have the football at midfield to begin the fourth quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER –

The fourth quarter was filled with plenty of action. Hills-Beaver Creek would quickly move the football down inside the Falcons 15-yard line thanks to a couple of runs from Cole Baker. A few plays later Baker finished the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the game. The Patriots would use a little trickery to convert the two-point conversion and tie the game. Cole Baker would take a toss and throw a pass to Gideon Taubert to tie the game at 22-22 with 10:28 remaining in the football game. Fertile-Beltrami would have a chance to re-take the lead and would start their next possession on their own 38-yard line after a nice kick return. The Falcons would run the football all the way down to the Patriots 21-yard line but would be put into a third down and twelve. Rylin Petry would make yet another big-time throw, finding Ryan Van Den Einde for a 14-yard completion, setting up first and goal. For the fourth time in the football game, Everett Balstad would find the end zone, putting Fertile-Beltrami back in front for good. Balstad would also convert the two-point conversion giving the Falcons a 30-22 lead with 6:16 remaining. The Patriots faced a quick fourth and one on the ensuing drive, and with limited time remaining and trailing, would go for it. Cole Baker would take a handoff and be stuffed by Everett Balstad before reaching the line to gain. The Falcons would have the football with 4:45 remaining and an opportunity to run the remaining time off the clock. They would work the football inside the Patriot’s 10-yard line and face a fourth and goal with 1:00 remaining. Balstad would run the football down to the 5-yard line before being stopped. Hills-Beaver Creek would take over on their own 5-yard line and need to go 95 yards with 0 timeouts left. The Patriots wouldn’t get close to the end zone, and the final play of the game would be a sack from Tyler Stuhaug to secure the Falcons spot in the State Championship next weekend.  “We rotated a few guys and only play a few guys both ways on the line and I think we wore them down a little bit,” said Coach Nelson. “I am so proud of these guys.”

Fertile Beltrami will now take on LeRoy-Ostrander in the State Championship on November 27 at U.S. Bank Stadium. The kickoff is set for 10:00 a.m. and the game can be heard on KROX. LeRoy-Ostrander defeated Kittson County Central 49-0 in the other semifinal. Hills-Beaver Creek ends their season with a 10-3 record.

[yotuwp type=”videos” id=”Kt2Qn07XclA” ]

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Fertile-Beltrami 6 0 16 8 30
Hills-Beaver Creek 6 8 0 8 22


1st Quarter
5:28 – HBC – Cole Baker 2-yard run (run failed)
3:18 – FB – Rylin Petry 19-yard pass to Everett Balstad (run failed)

2nd Quarter
0:19 – HBC – Oliver Deelstra 19-yard pass to Drew Leenderts (Casey Kueter run)

3rd quarter
7:23 – FB – Everett Balstad 5-yard run (Rylin Petry pass to Austin Bjerk)
1:29 – FB – Everett Balstad 30-yard run (Isaiah Wright run)

4th quarter
10:28 – HBC – Cole Baker 5-yard run (Cole Baker pass to Gideon Taubert)
6:16 – FB – Everett Balstad 2-yard run (Everett Balstad run)

TEAM STATS Fertile-Beltrami Hills-Beaver Creek
Rushing Yards 32-146 yds 49-214
Passing Yards 7-10-0 137 yds 7-12-0 71 yds
Total Yards 283 285
Fumbles-Lost 0 1-0
First Downs 16 19
Penalties-Yards 2-20 5-48
Punts 1-44 2-69

 

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Fertile-Beltrami Hills-Beaver Creek
Rushing Rushing
Everett Balstad  20-135 Cole Baker 24-120
Derek Sorenson 6-15 Casey Kueter. 9-39
Isaiah Wright 1-2 Ty Bundesen 3-30
Rylin Petry 1-2 Oliver Deelstra. 1-10
Levi Qually 4-(-8)
Passing
Passing
Rylin Petry  7-10-0 137 yds Oliver Deelstra 7-10-0  71 yds
   
Receiving Receiving
Everett Balstad 3-67 Andrew Harris 2-24
Ryan Van Den Einde 2-54 Ty Bundesen 2-12
Austin Bjerk 1-10 Drew Leenderts 1-19
Derek Sorenson 1-6 Cole Baker 1-17
Casey Kueter 1-15
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