Annandale defeats Dassel-Cokato football in MSHSL Class 3A semifinal
MINNEAPOLIS — The Annandale Cardinals (13-0) defeated the Dassel-Cokato Chargers (10-2) 24-14 in the MSHSL Class 3A football semifinals on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Annandale took a 13-0 early in the second quarter. Quarterback Nick Walter hit receiver Thomas Westman for an 80-yard touchdown for the first touchdown, and Brandon Valdez ran right for 5-yards for the second touchdown.
"We had trouble stopping them," Dassel-Cokato head coach Ryan Weinandt said. "We kind of shot ourselves in the foot, and they were able to stay ahead of us."
The Chargers got on the board four minutes before halftime. Kobee Thielen ran for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-6 before halftime.
The Cardinals and the Chargers scored touchdowns within ten seconds of each other in the third quarter.
Connor Lampi ran in a 2-yard touchdown for the Cardinals to take a 21-6 lead. Dassel-Cokato answered with a 64-yard touchdown run from Monte Gillman on the first play of the drive, and with a 2-point conversion, the Chargers cut the lead to 21-14.
Annandale sealed the win with a 10 play, 51 yards and five minute drive in the fourth quarter. On a third a long, Nick Walter connected with Joesph Healy down the sideline to keep the drive alive.
“I was just thinking to throw it up and go let [Healy] make the play, and go let him get that first down for us, and he did a great job of going and getting the ball,” Nick Walter said.
The Cardinals drove to the 1-yard line and elected to kick a field goal on fourth down. Zach Roe made the 18-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-14.
“Our guys handled it really well, didn’t panic, and we came right back and ran out the clock and ran out the game, which is what you need to do in these types of games," head coach Matt Walter.
The Chargers, who had not thrown a pass until that point, had to throw to keep the game alive, but quarterback Caleb Thinesen threw an interception on his first pass attempt, and the Cardinals ran out the clock for the vcitory.
The Cardinals will play Stewartville in the Class 3A Prep Bowl on November 25 at 1 p.m.
