Section 2A Champs. Front row: Aileen Roman and Lauren Laffen. Back row: coach Trent Weicherding, Anna Ibberson, Emily Curtis, Carissa Hillmer, Karrah Remus and coach Kaleb Walter.
Section 2A Meet
North Links Golf Course, North Mankato
Sunny, warm, 80 degrees
GIRLS RESULTS
Sleepy Eye 368 – SECTION CHAMPS / STATE QUALIFYER
USC 397, NU Cathedral 409, MCW 438
Meet Medalist Ali Wood USC 88
Sleepy Eye team members
Lauren Laffen 89
Carissa Hillmer 90
Emily Curtis 92
Karrah Remus 97
Anna Ibberson 106
Aileen R0man 122
St. Mary’s McKenzie Schutz 95 (missed advancing by one stroke)
BOYS RESULTS
USC 320 SECTION CHAMPS / STATE QUALIFYER
Medalist Cordell WEber MCW 69
2nd place St. Mary’s Mikail Sellner STATE QUALIFYER (shot hole-in-one on the 16th hole)
C.J. Windschitl 81 (lost in a one hole playoff – with winner advancing to state)
St. Mary’s basketball player Sean Mathiowetz was named the 2012 All-Journal Player of the Year. Mathiowetz averaged 17 points and nine rebounds in leading his team to a sub-section championship. READ JOURNAL STORY>>>
Sleepy Eye had three other representatives on the squad including Knights Kansas Adams (second team) and Jon Milliard (third team), Indians Brandon Polesky (third team) and Tyler Hadley (Honorable Mention.)
FIRST TEAM
Sean Mathiowetz, St. Mary’s
Alex Fink, Springfield
Mike Busack, Red. Valley
Nate Siemers, MVL
Kendall Peterson, Madelia
SECOND TEAM
Brian Nosbush, Cathedral
Sam Pendleton, CMC
Zach Brandts, St. James
Kansas Adams, St. Mary’s
Jeff DeCock, RRC
THIRD TEAM
Ben Wolf, Cathedral
Henry Rogotzke, RRC
Andy Hawkins, NUHS
Jon Milliard, St. Mary’s
Brandon Polesky, Sleepy Eye
HONORABLE MENTION: KT Farasyn, New Ulm; Tyler Hadley, Sleepy Eye; Marcus Heiling, CMC; Ryan Pendleton, CMC
Tanner Weiss hauls in a pass.
St. Mary’s knew going into their state playoff semi-final round Friday at the Mall of Amercia Field at the Hubert H. Humphery Metrodome they would need to put a target on Mahnomen’s running back and quarterback. The Indians are a predominately running team and those would be the two the Knights would need to stop. That target somehow got lost in the pre-game. Mahnomen ran all over St. Mary’s en route to a 32-12 win.
Mahnomen Quarterback Jacob Pavek rushed for 173 yards while back Avery Fairbanks added 129 more as the Indians overpowered the Knights. The loss put an end to the local boys miracle season.
Mahnomen bullied their way up the field on the game’s first possession to take an 8-0 lead.
St. Mary’s went four-and-out on their first drive. The Indians continued to move the markers with their ground game. Pavek then split the linebackers and raced 25 yards for his second touchdown of the contest. With 2:50 to play in the first quarter, the Knights trailed 16-0.
Mahnomen tried to get cute on the ensuing kick off. St. Mary’s was ready, covering the bouncing ball at their own 47-yard line. Anderson then hit Adam Sellner on a slant, Sellner did the rest, racing the final 62-yards for a 72-yard scoring play. Scott Salfer was stopped short on the two-point conversion.
The Indians struck right back with a 12-play, 76-yard drive. Pavek scored on a 12-yard option keeper to put the Knights deficit at 24-6 with 7:38 to play in the half.
St. Mary’s offense started clicking on their next possession. They averted disaster when quarterback Jordan Anderson coughed up the ball but Zach Miller emerged from a big pile with the pigskin. The Knights continued to march but the Indians defense came up with a tipped ball on a 4th-and-7 play at the 29-yard line to stall the drive.
The half ended with Mahnomen rushing 33 times for 233 yards while passing for 30. The Knights had 91-yards in the air and 26 on the ground.
The Indians looked to strike again on their first possession of the second half with a long touchdown pass. An offensive pass interference called it back.
The Knights then assembled a 91-yard drive to cut their deficit to 24-12. A 30-yard pass play to Sean Mathiowetz set up an 11-yard strike again to Mathiowetz in the corner of the end zone as time expired in the third quarter.
Mahnomen had an answer once again. A 37-yard run up the middle by Pavek for his fourth touchdown of the game put the game on ice.
St. Mary’s offense put together one more drive into the red zone but an interception on a 4th-and-10 play at the 17 yard line with three minutes play knocked the wind completely out of their sails.
The Knights finished the contest with just 55-yards on the ground.
They fared better with the passing game. Anderson went 19-34 in the air for 257 yards. Mathiowetz led the way with nine receptions for 102 yards. Sellner grabbed five for 102 yards. Joe Meyer made three catches for 38-yards while Tanner Weiss added two for 15-yards.
St. Mary’s season came to an end with a 12-4 mark.
Official Game Summary / Stats>>>
Minnesota Sports Broadcast Network – Listen radio broadcast>>>
Jordan Anderson was the Offensive Player of the Year (left), Lexi Platz from GFW was the Volleyball Player of the Year and Marc Gemmill was the Defensive Player of the Year. The community had three representatives at the annual KNUJ Player of the Year Banquet including (from left): Marc Gemmill, Jordan Anderson and Kyle Krzmarzick. The community had three representatives at the annual KNUJ Player of the Year Banquet including (from left): Marc Gemmill, Jordan Anderson and Kyle Krzmarzick.
St. Mary’s quarterback Jordan Anderson was named the KNUJ Offensive Football Player of theYear while Sleepy Eye’s linebacker Marc Gemmill was the Defensive Player of the Year. The two were honored along with Lexi Platz of GFW (volleyball) at the annual KNUJ Fall Sports Banquet held at the New Ulm Holiday Inn Tuesday.
Anderson, just a junior, has passed for 1872 yards while rushing for 932 so far this year. Anderson will add to those stats as the Knights will be playing in the state semi-finals Friday at the Mall of America Field.
Gemmill is a senior who finished the season with 41 solo tackles, 90 assists, 3.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery and two blocked kicks. He ended his career as the all-tackle leader for the Indians with 378.
St. Mary’s Kyle Krzmarzick was also recognized as a Player of the Week during the banquet.
The community had three representatives at the annual KNUJ Player of the Year Banquet including (from left): Marc Gemmill, Jordan Anderson and Kyle Krzmarzick.
Other athletes honored and the week they were
chosen Player of the Week
November 11
Offensive Football – Jordan Anderson from Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s
Offensive Football – Jamie Fischer from Nicollet
Offensive Football – Eric Hauser from New Ulm Cathedral
November 5
Volleyball – Heather Hohnenstein from LWCM
Offensive Football – Blake Altermatt from Wabasso
October 29
Volleyball – Remi Werner from Buffalo Lake/Hector/Stewart
Offensive Football – Kyle Athmann from BOLD
Defensive Football – Jordan Meine from Springfield
October 22
The Co-Volleyball – Kate Robinson from Cedar Mountain/Comfrey and Kayla Wenner from Nicollet.
Offensive Football – Nate Meixell from LCWM.
The Defensive – Tyler Meilke from MVL.
October 15
Volleyball – Jill Gareis from New Ulm
Offensive Football – Ted Skillings from Cathedral
Defensive Football – Damarko Thomas from Truman
October 8
Volleyball – Lauren Highlans from Sibley East
Offensive Football – Colby Rogers from St. James
Defensive Football – Taylor Rudenick from Nicollet
September 29
Volleyball – Katy Kuiper from St. Peter
Offensive Football – Daniel Maras from Red Rock Central
Defensive Football – Marc Gemmill from Sleepy Eye
September 22
Volleyball – Anna Hildebrandt from New Ulm
Offensive Football – Allen VanDien from Central
Defensive Football – Matt Bergmann from New Ulm
September 15
Volleyball – Ashley Kiecker from BLHS
Offensive Football – Sean Murphy from Nicollet
Defensive Football – Dan Blackstad from Cathedral
September 8
Volleyball – Paige Pautzke from Cathedral
Offensive Football – Logan Reid from Sibley East
Defensive Football – Kyle Krzmarzick from Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s
September 1
Volleyball – Lexi Platz from GFW
Volleyball – Karina Schroeder from LCWM
Adam Sellner celebrates the game clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter.
St. Mary’s scored 22 second half points en route to 34-15 domination of Adrian in the State football quarterfinal round held at Mattke Field on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall Friday night.
The Dragon got on the scoreboard first with a 52-yard drive on their second possession of the game to take a 7-0 lead.
The Knights answered the call, scoring on their next drive. Sean Mathiowetz caught a short pass then raced up the sideline for a 33-yard gain to set up the score. Jordan Anderson’s 3-yard run with 10:35 to play in the half capped off the 12-play, 63-yard march down the field. The two point conversion failed, St. Mary’s trailed 7-6.
Adrian increased their lead to 15-6 with a 16-yard touchdown pass with 5:56 to go in the second quarter.
St. Mary’s took advantage of a big kickoff return to midfield from Jake Lilleodden to set up their next scoring drive.
On a 4th-and-1 play, Anderson faked a run, stepped back and tossed the ball to Joe Meyer at the 25-yard line. Meyer did the rest, breaking a tackle then sprinting to end zone. The extra point pass was incomplete.
The Knights surprised the Dragon with the ensuing kickoff. Adam Sellner recovered the short kick at the 36-yard line. Adrian dodged a bullet when Anderson fumble the snap at the 12-yard line.
The two teams headed into the intermission with the Dragon holding a slim 15-12 advantage.
St. Mary’s turned the ball over on their first possession of the second half when Anderson threw an interception at the Dragons’ 27-yard line.
Adrian promptly marched the ball to the Knights 14-yard line before facing a 4th-and-11. The Dragons decided to go for it but Carter Krzmarzick came up big with a tackle for a loss.
The Knights took over on downs and Anderson took over on the ground, with a 71-yard jaunt to the 2-yard line. Mitch Neid finished things off with a run to paydirt. Scott Salfer went around end for the two-point conversion. St. Mary’s took their first lead of the contest, 20-15.
The Knights defense then forced a three-and-out. Following the punt, St. Mary’s offense took control at the 25-yard line. Anderson quickly moved the ball into Dragon territory with a 39-yard run. Anderson then connected with Adam Sellner at the goal line. Sellner bobbled the ball but managed to haul it in for a 19-yard score. Mathiowetz caught an over over-the-shoulder pass to put the local boys up 28-15 with 9:47 to play.
Nolan Helget made a nice tackle on the kickoff to pin Adrian deep at their own 17 yard line. Things only got worse for the Dragons. The Knights’ defense made the stops to force a punt. Adrian lined up to punt but passed instead. The ball fell incomplete. St. Mary’s was back in business, 17 yards from the goal line.
Adrian would get a reprieve, this time, with a pick off. It was short lived. The Dragons again faced a fourth down, this time they chose to punt.
St. Mary’s took over near the 50-yard line and 5:33 to kill. The Knights worked the clock with their running game until they faced a 4th-and-3 at the 14 yard line. Anderson stepped back and hit Mathiowetz in stride at the goal line with 1:18 left to play.
The celebration began.
The Knights will make their first ever appearance in the state tournament semi-final round. They will now travel to the Mall of America field at the Hubert H. Humphery Metrodome to face off against Mahnomen Friday morning at 10:15 a.m.
STATS
Passing
Jordan Anderson 12/20 223 yds 3 touchdowns
Receiving
Adam Sellner 2 receptions 38 yds 1 touchdown
Sean Mathiowetz 7 receptions 123 yds 1 touchdowns
Tanner Weiss 1 reception 19 yds
Joe Meyer 2 receptions 43 yds 1 touchdown
Rushing
Scott Salfer 13 carries 28 yds
Jordan Anderson 19 carries 139 yds 1 touchdown
Mitch Neid 3 carries 7 yds 1 touchdown
Jake Lilleodden 1 cary 5 yds
Defensive
Kyle Krzmarzick 10 solo tackles 1 assisted 1 sack
Brady Hansen 6 solo tackles
David Surprenant 5 solo tackles 1 assisted
Sean Mathiowetz 5 solo tackles
Josh Kopacek 3 solo tackles 2 assisted
Scott Salfer found the end zone four times in the section championship game.
St. Mary’s flexed their muscles early and often and never looked back in their domination of the undefeated and defending state champions New Ulm Cathedral in the Section 2A championship game played Friday night in New Ulm. The Knights found the end zone on nearly every drive en route to a 44-18 win over the heavily favored Greyhounds. They will now advance to the quarterfinal round of the Class A State Tournament.
St. Mary’s took the opening kickoff 70-yards, methodically moving the ball on the ground. An 18-yard pass reception by Joe Meyer set up Scott Salfer for a two-yard run to paydirt. Sean Mathiowetz hauled in the two-point conversion to put the Knights up 8-0 at the 6:32 mark.
Cathedral looked rattled on their first drive. A fumble was recovered for a three-yard loss. Then the Hounds quarterback was tripped up by the turf on a 3rd-and-13 play. They lined up to punt the ball but the snap was muffed and they were never able to get the kick off.
St. Mary’s was knocking on the door again at the 26. Salfer once again found the end zone, this time on a four yard run. Adam Sellner caught the PAT to put the Knights up 16-0 with 2:05 to play in the first quarter.
Cathedral got a 43-yard run on their next drive, then a 17-yard pass play went for six on the first snap of the second quarter. The pass on the extra point was knocked away, allowing St. Mary’s to maintain a 16-6 advantage.
The Hounds stepped in front of a Knight would-be receiver to pick off a pass on St. Mary’s next drive. NUC gave the ball right back to the Knights when a halfback option floated its way into arms of Brady Hansen’s.
The Knights took over at their own nine yard line. The first dagger was put into Cathedral when St. Mary’s marched the length of the field including coverting a 4th-and-1 play with a 15-yard pass to Meyer. Salfer scored his third TD of the half when he pushed the pile over the goal line from two yards out. Mathiowetz came up with the two-point conversion and the rout was on with the Knights leading 24-6 with 4:57 to in the second quarter.
The defense came up big on Cathedral’s next drive. With a 4th-and-1 at the Knights 41 yard line, Kyle Krzmarzick rushed through the line untouched and flattened the Hounds back. St. Mary’s was back in business at the 38-yard line.
The Knights faced a 4th-and-6 with 20 second left on the clock. Anderson lobbed the pigskin to Mathiowetz who secured it against his helmet before falling out of bound. After a short discussion, the referees agreed he maintained control. Sellner with a pass on the PAT. St. Mary’s took a 32-6 lead into halftime.
Cathedral scored on their first drive of the second half and then forced the Knights to turn the ball over on downs at the 25-yard line. The Greyhounds were unable to move the ball and lined up to punt. It was an obvious fake and the Knights smelled it out.
St. Mary’s again took control deep in New Ulm’s territory. The Knights converted another fourth down play, this time 4th-and-4 from the four yard line on an Anderson to Meyer TD pass. One play into the fourth quarter, the score now stood 38-12.
Both teams would add one more touchdown in the fourth quarrter. St. Mary’s came on a 14-yard run by Salfer, his fourth of the game with 4:37 to play to put to rest any thought of a miracle come back.
St. Mary’s will now face off against Adrain Friday night at Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall for state quarterfinals. This is the Knights third trip to the elite tournament, their first since 1988. They also made an apperance in 1979.
