Anoka Wins Paddle, Blaine Rolls In Football Openers

Anoka kicked off the opening weekend of high school football with a rivalry win at Champlin Park Aug. 30, breaking a halftime tie to defeat the Rebels 25-13 in the “Battle for the Paddle.” The teams traded first-half touchdowns, with the Rebels grabbing a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, before the Tornadoes answered in the second on an 8-yard strike from Peyton Podany to Afy Ibekwe. Anoka took an 18-6 lead in the third quarter on rushing touchdowns by Luke DeChene and Zach Welch, before Champlin Park narrowed the gap to 18-13 with 7:45 remaining in the fourth. A sustained, punishing Tornado drive followed, however, draining the clock all the way down to 18 seconds before Welch powered in from a yard out to thwart any chance of a Rebel comeback and seal the victory. Welch finished with 217 yards rushing and added 25 receiving yards. DeChene had a team-high 12 tackles, Cooper Bakke made 10 stops, Michael Chamberlain had a sack and Wyatt Rothrum intercepted a pass.

Blaine delivered a convincing 30-10 win at St. Michael-Albertville Aug. 29, building a 30-3 lead through three quarters before the Knights scored their lone touchdown in the fourth. Sam Shaughnessy rushed for 191 yards and a touchdown, Zach Larson ran for 99 yards and a touchdown, and Muizz Fowoshere rushed for 75 yards and a score. Shaughnessy also added 135 yards through the air, connecting with Caden Lauwagie for 89 passing yards, and with Derek Schlomann for a touchdown. Austin Mattson recorded nine tackles — including three for loss — as well as a sack, Carter Mackey also had nine tackles, and Charlie Potvin intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.

SOURCE: Hometown Source