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CLASS 9-MAN FOOTBALL: Knights’ season ends in 27-26 loss

Photo by Jake Przytarski RTR’s Cooper Hansen runs away from a defender during their Class 9-man quarterfinal game against Spring Grove on Friday. The Lions defeated the Knights 27-26.

NEW ULM - Digging deep and leaving it all on the field, the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights took No. 1 ranked Spring Grove to the brink of defeat in Friday night’s frigid 9-man state quarterfinals matchup but fell short as the Lions put together a game-winning touchdown drive in the final minute to secure the 27-26 victory.

In the first quarter of play, the Knights were forced to adjust their offensive gameplan due to brutal gusting winds and freezing cold temperatures that resulted in RTR utilizing a more run-heavy attack. Unable to find requisite running room early, the Knights struggled in trying to move the ball with consecutive three and outs to begin the game.

In need of a boost, the Knights defense provided it with a smothering effort to stand tall against the high-powered offense of Spring Grove on their first offensive possession that began in their own territory. Faced with another short field to defend after the Knight’s second three and out on offense, the Lions struck first with a 10-yard touchdown run that gave them a 7-0 lead into the second quarter of play.

The momentum generated by the Lions continued in the middle portion of the second quarter as they added a second touchdown that gave them a 13-0 lead and put the Knights in an unfamiliar position of having to play from behind. Thankfully for RTR, the offense would strike back on their ensuing drive with quarterback Cooper Hansen finding Corbyn Sitzmann for a five-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 13-6, where it would remain into the second second half.

Out of the second half, the Lions had their own troubles in dealing with the cold resulting in a fumble recovery that gave the Knights a golden opportunity to put the game-tying touchdown on the board. Instead, the Spring Grove defense stepped up big and gave the ball right back to their offense that would go on to score a back-breaking 97-yard touchdown run to increase their lead to 21-6.

Showing a great deal of grit and resiliency, the Knights refused to throw in the towel and continued to battle with Cooper Hansen leading the charge and finding Jonah Christensen for a 38-yard touchdown connection that breathed new life into the team.

With momentum shifted completely to their end, the Knights defense generated two big turnovers that helped provide two more touchdown drives that gave RTR its first lead of the game with the score at 26-21 with only a minute left on the clock.

Led by dynamic quarterback Alex Folz, the Lions proceeded to march down the field with big throws providing Spring Grove with a glimmer of hope. Down to 33 seconds, Folz found his man deep in the end-zone for an 18-yard connection that put the Lions back on top 27-26.

In need of a miracle drive, the Knights came close to doing the improbable after a hook and ladder play brought the offense down to the 20-yard line for one last Hail Mary attempt to end the game. Unfortunately, the Lions intercepted the passing attempt and escaped with the win.

In what was another highly successful season for RTR that culminated in a second-consecutive trip to the state tournament, the Knights end the 2018 season with a final record of 7-4.

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