Notables:
-Saints had an opportunity to capture a share of conference title
-MacMurray returns a blocked punt and a fumble for TDs in the fourth quarter
-First CSS loss to MacMurray in program history
-Olson collects season high 200 completion yards

DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica football team ended its season on Saturday with a 34-26 loss against MacMurray College (Ill.) at Public Schools Stadium.

The Action
MacMurray wasted no time and scored on the first drive of the game, pushed down the field by a 49 yard pass completion that put it at the Saints' two yard line. Quarterback Nathan Randall scored on the next play to put the Highlanders up 7-0 after a successful extra point kick. The rest of the quarter was a defensive battle between the two squads, and neither team was able to put more points on the board.

The Saints got their first points five minutes into the second quarter on a safety when the Highlander snap went over the punter's head and the punter attempted to throw the ball away in the end zone, but would be called for intentional gounding. CSS followed up a few possessions later with a touchdown by Aaron Olson (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) on a 26 yard pass completion from Zach Edwards (West St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS). The extra point kick didn't make it between the posts, but the Saints had an 8-7 lead despite the miss. On the next drive for MacMurray, Jonathan Senger (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo HS) jumped in front of a pass for an interception and then returned it 24 yards for a pick six. This pushed the Saints lead to 14-7 which would take the teams into halftime.

The Highlanders kept things close in the third by scoring the only points of the quarter on a rush from Chazz Middlebrook. This tied the score at 14-14 with just the fourth quarter left to play. 

The final 15 minutes of the game was a wild one. The Saints started things off with another TD pass from Edwards to Olson for six yards. The extra point was blocked to keep it 20-14. The Saints then failed to execute an onside kick which put MacMurray in good field position at the CSS 35. The Highlanders took advantage and completed a 35 yard pass to Demetrius Curry to collect the touchdown on the next play. Frank Cerar (Plainview, Minn./Plainview-Elgin-Millville HS) blocked the extra point to keep it tied at 20-20. The Saints could not make use of their next possession and were forced to punt. They ran into trouble on the punt when it was blocked and returned by the Highlanders for a touchdown. MacMurray ran a successful 2-point conversion play and made the score 28-20.

The Saints followed up immediately thanks to a 78-yard kick off return from Kenneth Jinkins (West St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) for a touchdown. CSS could not come through on the 2-point conversion, however, and trailed by two points with just under 10 minutes to be played. The Saints held the Highlanders to a three-and-out possession. The Saints were advancing into Highlander territory on their next possession when they fumbled which was recovered by the Highlanders and returned for 71 yards for a touchdown. This put the score at 34-26 in favor of MacMurray after the Highlanders failed a two-point conversion. 

CSS fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by MacMurray. However, the Saints still got the ball back twice in the final two minutes only down one score, but would be intercepted both times as MacMurray prevailed 34-26.

Notable Performances
Edwards threw for 318 yards on 26 completions. Olson earned a season high 200 yards on 12 receptions with two touchdowns. Jeff LeMay (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) rushed for 44 yards on 12 attempts to lead the running game. On defense, Jinkins had 11 tackles and a sack. Cal Germain (Star Prairie, Wis./Osceola HS) and Jake Zoellick (Sarona, Wis./Rice Lake HS) each had a sack as well.

For the Highlanders, Nathan Randall completed 15 passes for 200 yards. Middlebrook rushed for 111 yards on 21 carries, and Curry collected 159 yards on eight receptions. Javon Muhammed led on defense with six solo tackles and two sacks.

Thank You, Seniors
The Saints (7-3, 7-2 UMAC) say farewell to nine senior players: Rick Johnson (Wrenshall, Minn./Esko HS), Nick Jerhoff (Eagan, Minn./South St. Paul HS), Kenneth Jinkins (West St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS), Jack Peru (Phoenix, Ariz./Trevor G. Browne HS (Phoenix College)), Hunter Thompson (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo HS), Elliott Simon (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti HS), Josh Klimek (Roseville, Minn./Roseville HS), Andy Lawrence (Boise, Idaho/Bishop Kelly HS), and Jake Zoellick (Sarona, Wis./Rice Lake HS).