Notables
-CSS scored touchdowns on its first three possessions of the game
-First game this season CSS did not commit a turnover
-Bishop accounted for all three touchdowns
SAINT PAUL (
csssaints.com) – In its final game of the 2021 season, the St. Scholastica football team held the lead over Hamline University after three quarters of play, but a fourth-quarter score by the Pipers and point-after was the difference in a 21-20 setback on Saturday.
How it Happened
After the Pipers (4-6, 2-6 MIAC) scored a touchdown on the opening possession of the game, the Saints responded with a 15-play, 55-yard scoring drive. CSS converted a pair of fourth downs on the drive, including fourth-and-goal from the Hamline 3-yard-line as
Byron Bishop (Sublimity, Ore./Regis HS) took it himself into the end zone. The point-after by
Kyle Oswald (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi HS) was good to tie the score at 7-7.
Jake Kukowski (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin HS) then intercepted a Piper pass on the second play of the ensuing possession, setting up a Bishop to
Mitchell Adrian (Altoona, Wis./Altoona HS) 40-yard scoring strike to give the Saints a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Hamline tied the game at 14-14 on the first play of the second quarter with a 15-yard touchdown pass. St. Scholastica responded again with an 11-play, 63-yard scoring drive. Bishop ran in his second touchdown of the afternoon from six yards out to make it 20-14 after the conversion attempt failed. The Saints held their first halftime lead of the season at 20-14.
The CSS defense held strong in the third quarter as the score stood at 20-14 entering the fourth quarter. On Hamline's first possession of the fourth quarter, the Pipers would strike for a 30-yard touchdown to tie the game at 20-20 with 13 minutes remaining. The point-after was successful making it 21-20 Pipers.
Later in the fourth, with snow accumulating on the ground, the Pipers would be forced to punt from their own end zone and the punt would only go to the Hamline 35-yard-line, setting up great field position for the Saints. St. Scholastica would face a fourth-and-one at the Hamline 26. The Pipers would stuff the run attempt by the Saints to take over possession.
CSS got the ball back one more time, but was forced to punt. The Saints defense then had to make a stop, but the Pipers converted first downs to run out the clock and defeat CSS 21-20.
Top Performers for the Saints
Bishop threw for 119 yards and one score, while also rushing for two touchdowns.
Nick Schlender (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS) led the rushing attack with 43 yards on 14 carries. Adrian, in his final game as a Saint, had three receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Wyatt Lahr (Bowlus, Minn./Royalton HS) had four receptions.
Antonio Bugni (Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount HS) led the team with 10 tackles.
Tandrell Foster (Hurley, Wis./Hurley HS), in his final game, had five tackles for a loss, including a pair of sacks.
Top Performers for the Opponents
Connor Leavens threw for 187 yards and one touchdown. Nikolas Rocafort ran for 60 yards and a touchdown. Charlie Wilson had seven receptions for 67 yards. Carson Reinard had nine tackles, including 2.5 sacks to lead the defense.
End of Season
The Saints (0-8, 0-8 MIAC) will say goodbye to seniors
Mitchell Adrian (Altoona, Wis./Altoona HS),
Bryceton Butkiewicz (Kettle River, Minn./Moose Lake HS),
Ben Plzak (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS),
Tandrell Foster (Hurley, Wis./Hurley HS),
Tyler Isane (Badger, Minn./Badger HS (Minnesota Crookston)),
Mack Nelson (Sandstone, Minn./East Central HS) and
Eli Horn (Pillager, Minn./Pillager HS (Minnesota Crookston)).
For future news on the St. Scholastica football program; keep checking csssaints.com.
