Box Score

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica football team ended its inaugural season today with a 49-20 loss against Martin Luther College at Public Schools Stadium.

Today's game didn't have the scoring fury as last week's shootout between these two teams at the Metrodome. Both teams were forced to punt on their first two possessions. The Knights (7-3, 2-2) only had to punt twice all of last week. Following a Saints fumble, the Knights scored five plays later on a 10-yard touchdown reception by Ryan Kolander with six minutes left in the first quarter. The extra point was no good.

CSS responded on the following possession thanks to 52 yards rushing by #Christopher Henagin# (Jr.-Cloquet, Minn.) on the drive. #Jake Olson# (Fr.-Esko, Minn.) would sneak it in from a yard out on fourth down and the extra point by #Kyle Hoffman# (Jr.-St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Tech) gave the Saints a 7-6 lead. After a #Preston Gunderson# (Fr.-Virginia, Minn.) interception to end the first quarter, the Saints had key 41-yard pass play to #Mike VanMassenhove# (So.-Superior, Wis.) called back due to a pass interference penalty. The Saints later fumbled on the drive.

The Saints got the ball back and moved the ball down to the Martin Luther 21-yard-line, but would be stopped on a fourth-and-one. The Knights scored three plays later on an Aaron Voss 72-yard touchdown run to make the score 12-7. After a CSS turnover, the Knights struck again on a Kolander 23-yard touchdown reception. With the two-point conversion the score was 20-7.

Martin Luther then got the ball right back when on the kickoff the ball deflected off one of the front men and the Knights recovered. Andrew Becker scored from a yard out to make the halftime score 28-7.

In the second half, Martin Luther took the opening down the field and scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass to make the score 35-7. St. Scholastica threw an interception on the next possession. Martin Luther capitalized just five plays later on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Andrew Becker to make it 42-7. The Saints got their second touchdown of the afternoon thanks to its special teams when #Tyler Hassel# (Jr.-Arden Hills, Minn./Grand Rapids) blocked a punt in the end zone and recovered the loose ball to make the score 42-14.

The Knights scored on a 40-yard touchdown run on the next possession to make it 49-14. The Saints would score their final touchdown of the season when Jake Olson (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) connected with Mike VanMassenhove (Superior, Wis./Superior HS (Minn.-Duluth)) for a 10-yard touchdown to make the final score 49-20.

CSS out-rushed Martin Luther 226-225. Christopher Henagin (Cloquet, Minn./Fond du Lac) had his best game of the season, rushing for 221 yards on 31 carries. Henagin averaged 7.1 yards per rush. Today was the first game that Henagin did not score since the season opener at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Jake Olson (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) threw for 122 yards on 11-of-29 passing and one touchdown. Saints' leading receiver Mike VanMassenhove (Superior, Wis./Superior HS (Minn.-Duluth)) was held to a season-low two receptions, but he did have one touchdown. #Jonathan Bennett# (Fr.-Blackduck, Minn.) had four catches for 51 yards. #Doug Moore# (Fr.-Ladysmith, Wis.) and #Shane Martin# (Fr.-Savage, Minn./Burnsville) each had 11 tackles to lead the CSS defense. Moore had 3.5 tackles for a loss.

The Saints end their inaugural season with a 1-7 overall record, and a 0-4 conference mark.. It was an exciting first season as there were a lot of close contests. We would like to thank all of the fans that came out and supported the team this season. Please keep checking the Saints athletics web site for further football information.