Duluth, Minn. – The Saint Scholastica football team hosted the Royals of Bethel University for their final game of the season, and senior day, today, Saturday, November 15. Today's MIAC Conference contest ended with the Saints succumbing to the Royals offensive talent, finishing the game with a score of 62-0. 

How it Happened

First Quarter
The Saints opened the game aggressively, with the defense immediately making plays behind the line of scrimmage. Gabe Kattchee (La Crosse WI./Logan HS), John Lassila (Elk River, MN/Elk River HS), and DJ Woelber (Hayward, WI/Hayward HS) combined for early stops, including tackles for loss that forced Bethel into several long-yardage situations.

On special teams, Christian Hoveland (Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater HS) secured multiple clean kick-return opportunities, helping the Saints establish solid field position early.

Offensively, the Saints began to find rhythm in the passing game, with Curtis Favors (St. Paul, MN/Tartan HS) and Teagen Lubinski (Crookston, MN/Crookston HS) targeted frequently as quarterback Donald West (St. Paul, MN/Woodbury HS) pushed the ball downfield.

Second Quarter
As Bethel tried to lean on its run game, the Saints defense continued responding with physicality. Austin Mundt (Deer River, MN/Deer River HS) and Nathan Miller (Rochester, MN/Century HS) combined for a sack, while Charlie Graske (Oakdale, MN/Tartan HS), Ian Strusz (Albertville, MN/St. Michael-Albertville HS), and Izaac Hutchinson (Albany, M/Albany HS) each delivered stops that stalled several Bethel drives.

On offense, the Saints' receiving unit kept the chains moving. Andrew Burgess delivered multiple key receptions—including gains of 15 and 21 yards—that helped the Saints push deep into Bethel territory. Lubinski added a 39-yard burst in the passing game later in the half, giving the Saints their longest play of the day.

Even as Bethel extended its lead, the Saints refused to fold, closing the half with a defensive stand that forced the Royals into a late field-goal attempt rather than a touchdown.

Third Quarter
Coming out of the locker room, the Saints found renewed momentum in the run game. Stephan Jackson (Minneapolis, MN/Minneapolis North HS) ran with authority, picking up chunk gains of 12, 7, 9, and 7 yards as the Saints' offensive line began creating lanes against an aggressive Bethel front.

The defense continued generating pressure as well. Strusz notched a quarterback hurry, while Declan Estrin (Maplewood, MN/Tartan HS) and Ben Blomberg (New Ulm, MN/New Ulm Cathedral HS) filled gaps to limit Bethel's inside rushing attempts.

Late in the quarter, Teagen Lubinski (Crookston, MN/Crookston HS) continued making plays, securing a 13-yard reception to convert a key third down and extend the Saints' longest second-half drive.

Fourth Quarter
The Saints opened the fourth quarter with their best offensive possession of the day. West connected with Lubinski for a 39-yard strike, immediately flipping field position and bringing energy to the sideline. Moments later, Hoveland ripped off a 17-yard run to put the Saints in the red zone.

After a fumble was recovered by the Saints' offense, Burgess hauled in another tough catch over the middle to move the ball inside the Bethel 15-yard line, giving the Saints their deepest scoring opportunity.

Defensively, the Saints kept competing until the clock hit zero. Graske, Hutchinson, Woelber, and Mundt each added final-quarter tackles, while Payden Yeats (Laporte, MN/Walker-Hackensack-Akeley HS) and Juan Lomas (Willmar, MN/Willmar HS) contributed additional stops to close out the day.

In the final minutes, the defense forced Bethel into a series of short runs and even pushed the Royals into a third-down situation before Bethel opted to kneel out the clock—another example of the Saints' defense finishing strong.

Seniors
The Saints will be saying goodbye to 11 seniors following today's game. Donald West (St. Paul, MN/Woodbury HS), Cooper Kinneberg (West St. Paul, MN/Two Rivers HS), Andrew Burgess II (Tampa, FL/Cypress Creek HS), Austin Mundt (Deer River, MN/Deer River HS), Ian Strusz (Albertville, MN/St. Michael-Albertville HS), Lyntrell Journett, Jacob Andrews (Owatonna, MN/Medford HS), Monty Wilson (River Falls, WI/River Falls HS), Cody Schneider (Plainview, MN/Plainview-Elgin-Millville HS), Tyler Olson (Little Falls, MN/Little Falls HS), Nathan Miller (Rochester, MN/Century HS) will all be saying goodbye to Saint Scholastica and moving forward with their careers.