Minnesota: Week one football review

Mike Thai, Blaine

Photo by Greg Smith

Week one was a good one for traditional powers like Eden Prairie, Cretin-Derham Hall, Wayzata and Blaine. Eden Prairie defeated Bloomington Kennedy 48-6, Cretin defeated Forest Lake 27-16, Wayzata (the defending big-school state champion) beat Eastview 34-7 and Blaine (the 2008 big-school runner-up) defeated Osseo 53-20.

1. ST. CROIX LUTHERAN ROLLS: It’s not a misprint – St. Croix Lutheran defeated St. Paul Academy/Mounds Park Academy 81-38 Thursday, with the two teams combining to set a Minnesota state record for most points in a game, with 119. The 81 points for St. Croix Lutheran ranks eighth all-time in the Minnesota record books. Leading the way in the game was SCL running back Jeff Dubose, who scored seven touchdowns and ran for 315 yards. It was the second year in a row Dubose ran for more than 300 yards against SPA/Mounds Park.

2. HARDING RECEIVER SETS RECORD: In another record-setting performance, Harding senior receiver Jeramy Hallowanger caught four touchdown passes in a 32-18 win over Humboldt, which tied with two other receivers for the most touchdown receptions all-time in a game in the St. Paul City Conference. The four touchdowns were also a Harding school record. The quarterback who connected with Hallowanger on all four scores was Vernon Keller.

3. BIG GAME FOR BLAINE: Blaine entered the 2009 season needing to replace do-it-all quarterback James Peterson, whose passing and running led the Bengals to the Prep Bowl last season. The person who has the unenviable task of replacing Peterson is junior quarterback Eric Kline. Despite an early interception, the quarterback was impressive in his first varsity start, completing 26-of-33 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for 94 yards and a touchdown on 21 attempts. Kline didn’t have to do it all himself, however, as running back Mike Thai scored five total touchdowns. He ran for 168 yards and four touchdowns, and caught seven passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. New year, new quarterback – same results at Blaine.

4. DELASALLE’S WILLIAMS WOWS CROWD: DeLaSalle christened the school’s new football stadium in pure Islanders fashion – with a lot of offense and a lot of excitement. Much of that excitement came from back Evan Williams, who rushed for 290 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Williams is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior who runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and is being sought by numerous Division I schools.

5. GSL LOOKS STRONG – AGAIN: Glencoe-Silver Lake, the three-time defending Class 3A state champs, opened the season in impressive fashion with a 41-0 win over Hutchinson, a traditional 4A power. GSL back Aaron Lueders ran for five touchdowns in the win.

1. YUSEFF HASSAN, Burnsville: The playmakers make the headlines, but players like Hassan make plays. The Burnsville linebacker had 18 tackles in a 20-8 loss to Lakeville North.

2. NEW SCHOOLS: Four new football programs will compete this season – Chanhassen and East Ridge in 4A, Spectrum High in A and Lion’s Gate Christian Academy in 9-man.

3. ST. PAUL HUMBOLDT: Humboldt moves from 4A to 2A, a class where the team could be more competitive. After opening with a loss to Harding, Humboldt hosts Cook County in a key non-conference matchup.

1. JOSH GAUGHAN, Buffalo: Gaughan ran for 246 yards on 25 carries, and added four touchdowns in a 34-27 win over Princeton.

2. KENNETH KING, Mankato East: King ran 26 times for 208 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-27 win over Marshall.