KM wins Section 1AAAA championship; beats Byron 7-0

Covid-19 once again dictated the football schedule for the KoMets. No longer was there to be a full play-off bracket for the section title, but rather one game, head-to-head for the crown. No state berth, no advancement.
The KoMets secured the #1 seed in the section, going 4-1 on the season and undefeated in section play. Byron sealed the #2 seed.
Byron was 4-2 coming into last Tuesday’s championship game. Their only losses were to the KoMets and a non-section game against Mayo. 
These two neighboring rivals recently met on Nov. 6, where the KoMets won 28-13. The KoMets set the tone early in that game. The KoMet defense also slowed down Byron’s running back, senior, Austin Freerksen, holding him to just 164 total rushing yards. 
With the section title on the line, one could feel the intensity coming from both teams. This would be their last game. For the seniors, their last game in their high school jerseys.  
“Knowing that we had played Byron only 11 days earlier, as a coach, you worry,” said Head Coach Joel Swanson. “Since we won in the other outing, you worry. As a coach, you know your opponent is going to adjust their game plan.”
From the opening kick off, it was an intense game, but fun to be a part of. The game kind of signified this whole pandemic… a lot of tension,” said Swanson. 
Both teams, known for their running game, would look to force each other to pass. Byron has arguably one best running backs in the state with Austin Freerksen. KM mixes it up and utilizes several key players on the ground. Quarterback Matt Donovan looks to keep, while fullbacks Anthony Moe-Tucker and Jackson Kennedy rotate on possessions. 
Senior kicker Aaron Winkle, started the game off with a long kick to the 14 yard line. Tyler Fox receives and pitches it over to Freerksen where he runs to the 26 yard line before he is brought down. 
Prior to the first snap everyone could hear KM’s Swanson, screaming for a time out! Swanson did not like what he saw with his KoMets defense. They were lined up in a miss-match with Byron’s offense. Swanson and assistant defensive coach, Matt Nelson, would reset the KoMets.
Byron’s quarterback, Drew Scheuer, would hand the ball off to Freerksen for ten straight carries as he marched the ball down field.
The KoMet’s defense would then hold the Bears in the red zone and finally shut down Freerksen’s momentum. Senior Kennedy, sacks Scheuer for negative yards, forcing them to try for a field goal.  Cameron Schmidt’s kick is blocked by KM senior Gavin Giesler. 
It was clear that Byron watched plenty of film from their previous meeting on Nov. 6. Byron’s defense set up heaving in the box to shut down the KoMet’s running game. Knowing that KM’s quarterback, Donovan, ran the option well and looked to hand off to the fullbacks, the Bear’s defense saged off the KM receivers to help penetrate the middle.   
“To Byron's credit they made some great adjustments and really attacked on both sides of the ball.” said Swanson.
The KoMets tried to push the ball forward on the ground during their opening drive. The Bears swarmed the ball and sacked Donovan in the backfield. The KoMets were forced to punt. 
The Bears continued to feed Freerksen the ball, where he pushed up field, breaking tackles and gaining yards. Byron threatened to score for a second time. From the 4 yard line, Byron would let the clock run down to end the first quarter. 
 
The KoMet defense would step up once again. Byron would go for it on fourth and four on the 4 yard line.  Senior Jakob Aarsvold, wraps up Freerksen in the backfield for a loss of yards. 
“Defensively, we were fortunate to ‘bend, but not break’ in the first quarter,” said Swanson.
The KoMets, still unable to inch forward on the ground against the Bears defense, again go three and out, forced to punt on just their second possession of the game.
Fox receives Winkles’ punt on the KM’s 46 yard line and is brought down on the 40.  Finally, the KoMet’s defense reads Freerksen. With 7:32 left of the first half, Byron then punts. Senior Jace Bigelow, waves for a fair catch. 
The KoMets still can not seem to get any sort of offense going. The Bears defense continues to pack the box and are right on top of the hand off. Frustrated with little gain, the KoMets punt. 
Byron is hit with a 15-yard penalty for roughing the kicker. The KoMet’s offense returns to the field after the penalty for a first down on KM’s 32 yard line. Byron forces Donovan to go to the air, which leads to an interception, picked off by Scheuer. 
“The boys just needed to survive until halftime.” said KM’s trainer Taylor Scholz. The KoMet defense continued to go to work as Byron started their next drive on KM’s 40 yard line. Freerksen would get the Bears to the 27 yard line. Byron would fumble on their next hand off.  Senior Logan Laures recovered the fumble. 
Both teams had one more possession before the half. Scoreless at the half, each team would look to make adjustments to try and overcome the other team’s defense.  
“We were fortunate to be tied at 0 to 0.” said Swanson.  “To our players credit, we were able to make adjustments as the game went on.”
Freerksen rushed for 135 yards in the first quarter before the KoMet’s could finally get a handle on him. Freerksen rushed for 28 yards in the second quarter. KM had a total of just 17 total yards in the first half. No completed pass by either team. One turn over each. Donovan threw an interception and Scheuer/Freerksen fumbled on the hand off. 
KM received to start the second half. Junior Logan Vaughan, receives with no gain, brought down on the 10 yard line. Moe-Tucker, Aarsvold and Brooks Buchanan would try to put together a run.  From the KoMet’s 43 yard line, they were forced to punt. 
With heavy defensive pressure now on Freerksen, Byron’s QB Scheuer went to the air. KM’s senior, 6’4” Jace Bigelow, intercepted the ball on Byron’s 32 yard line. 
Fullback Kennedy, would push up the middle through Byron’s heavy defense. Donovan broke to the outside for a 33 yard gain. Kennedy and Donovan would continue to push closer on carries.  Donovan would keep and step it in for a touchdown. Winkle’s kick is good! With 3:08 left in the 3rd quarter, the first points of the game are on the board. KM leads 7-0. 
“As the game continued on, it was still very intense and we were fortunate to be able to go on the game winning drive during the second series of the second half.” said Swanson. “In no way was it over though, as both teams continued to battle.”
Winkle, with the long kick, puts the ball to the 6 yard line. Byron’s Fox, with a 33 yard return, is brought down on the 41 yard line. With pressure still on Freerksen, Scheuer moves the ball in the air, connecting with Dylan Olive and Nolan Seaberg before being forced to punt.
KM continued to keep the ball on the ground in the fourth quarter, running five minutes off the clock, before punting. Winkle punts to Byron’s 43 yard line, where Freerksen receives. 
Unable to get into scoring position, Byron punts, giving the ball back to the KoMets with 4:14 on the game clock on KM’s 43 yard line. 
Donovan and Kennedy pushed the ball forward, staying in bounds, eating up the clock. Unable to get in field goal range, KM punts with :28 seconds remaining. Winkle’s punt is blocked by Byron, giving them field position right on the 50 yard line. 
 
KM’s defense spreads wide, anticipating both the run and the pass. Scheuer looks to pass, but under throws Seaberg. Scheuer looks to pass again, this time connecting with Isaac Dearborn for 18 yards. 
With 0:18 second left on the clock, Scheuer aims for the endzone. For the second time of the night, KM’s Jace Bigelow jumps up and steals the interception! 
With :01 second remaining, Donovan would take a knee. KM wins the hard fought defensive showdown for the section 1AAAA crown. 
The game had a state championship feel to it. In front of the small, regulated crowd of 250 spectators, these two teams played with heart until the clock ran out.
Unable to go through a line and shake hands due to Covid-19, the boys and coaches showed their respect to each other by giving a respectable wave and head nods. 
“Great high school football game where players from both teams played their hearts out.” said Swanson. 
In a year of so much uncertainty, schedule changes, quarantine and restrictions, one couldn’t help but to feel emotional watching this game. As one team celebrated, and the other quietly met in the corner end zone, both teams were grateful to have had the opportunity to put on their shoulder pads and lace up their cleats this season. 
“Our section football game was a great battle. It was one of the best played high school games I’ve been a part of.  It’s the best we played all season and we are proud of our program. Hats off to KM on a great game and great season as well,” said Byron Head Coach Ben Halder.
“2020 was an odd season, but one we were super thankful to play, and one we will never forget.  Kudos to our (Byron’s) Activities Director, Jon Buchanan, for all his hard work and dedication to make it possible. Also, kudos to our kids and coaches for following protocols so we could play every game we had scheduled. We feel blessed to have been able to play them all,” said Halder.
“I feel fortunate that we were able to get in the time we did. I am proud of the players for staying positive throughout this up and down emotional time of the pandemic,” said Swanson. “First, no season, then suddenly, a season. Then, quarantine for most, and then coming back on three days of practice to play our first game.
“Winning on a last second field goal. Then, the next opponent is in quarantine. But through it all, the players stayed positive and gave it their best. I'm proud of them all and it was a privilege to have the opportunity to work with them.
“We thank everyone for their support throughout the season. Stay safe everyone.” said Swanson.
The Bears finished with 216 offensive yards. Scheuer went 3/12 for 58 passing yards. Freerksen ran for 168 total yards on 35 carries. 
The KoMets had 153 offensive yards. Donovan led the offensive, rushing for 77 yards, scoring the lone touchdown of the game. Moe-Tucker rushed for 36 yards, Kennedy 29 yards and Aarsvold had 14 yards. 
Kennedy led the defense with 1 solo tackle and 12 assists.  Bigelow grabbed both interceptions.  Laures recovered the fumble and Giesler blocked Byron’s field goal attempt. 
 
Offensive Stats:
Total offense:  153  yards
 
Passing:
Donovan:  Completed passes: 0/1  Yds: 0  TD: 0  Int: 1
 
Rushing:
4 Matt Donovan:  Carries: 19  Yds: 77  Avg: 4.1  TD: 1
5 Anthony Moe Tucker:  Carries: 10  Yds: 36  Avg: 3.6 
42 Jackson Kennedy:   Carrieds: 10  Yds: 29  Avg: 2.9
 
Defensive Leaders:
Jackson Kennedy:  Solo tackles:  1,  Assists: 12
Anthony Moe-Tucker:  Solo tackles:  1,  Assists: 8, Sacks:  1
Jakob Aarsvold:  Solo tackles:  3, Assists:  3,  Sacks: 1
Brooks Buchanan: Solo tackles:  5,  Assists: 3
Gavin Giesler:  Solo tackles: 2, Assists: 3, Blocked PAT: 1
Jace Bigelow: Solo tackles: 1, INT: 2, Def Pass: 2