Staff photo by Steve Muscatello Brandon Wait (4) and Nick Ludewig (60) of Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s clear the way for running back Luke Miller during the third quarter Friday in Madelia. For more photos of this event go to cu.nujournal.com

MADELIA — The Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s Knights tallied 495 rushing in its 42-16 victory over the Madelia Blackhawks in a 9-man South District, Central Subdistrict game Friday night.

St. Mary’s (4-0) converted on a fourth down with seven yards to go from the Madelia (1-3) 17-yard line to get a fresh set of downs. The Knights were flagged for holding on a second and goal backing up to the Madelia 12-yard line. On the fourth down St. Mary’s quarterback Nick Labat to Brandon Wait in the end zone for the touchdown at the 5:53 mark in the first quarter. Andrick Sanchez carried the ball across for the Knights two-point conversion and the 8-0 lead.

The Knights defense forced a punt on Madelia’s first drive when Max Heiderscheidt and Wait recorded a sack

“Our defense played pretty darn good, we played hard, made the plays we needed to with just an overall good game,” Knights defensive linebacker Kyle Tauer said.

Sanchez reached the end zone for the Knights in the opening minutes of the second quarter on a 2-yard carry. Knights running back Luke Miller was met by a crowd of Blackhawk defenders on the carry for the 2-point conversion breaking free and diving into the end zone to give the Knights the 16-0 lead.

Later, Labat fumbled the football at the goal line when offensive linemen Dalton Meyer fell on the ball in the end zone for the touchdown with 2:39 left to play in the first half. Sanchez’s carry for the 2-point conversion gave the Knights the 24-0 lead.

Madelia started the following drive from the opposing 20 with just over two minutes to play in the half. The Blackhawks began to pass the football and drive against the Knights deep into their territory.

Blackhawk quarterback Logan Anderson scrambled from the backfield breaking two tackles and completing a pass to receiver Andrew Arduser and put the Blackhawks inside the Knights’ 10.

Madelia’s Josh Sletta powered his way into the end zone from 4-yards out for the score and Anderson carried to 2-point conversion as the Knights lead the Blackhawks 24-8 with 50 seconds left in the first half.

The Knights scored once more in the half on a 66-yard carry by Sanchez. Sanchez’s carried the ball around the right side of his line breaking away untouched as the Knights led 30-8 at the half.

In the second half, Labat found Heiderscheidt in the back of the end zone for the 29-yard completion. Heiderscheidt caught the ball around the 15-yard line and broke away from the defenders for the touchdown and the 36-8 Knights lead.

Madelia’s four-minute drive in the final minutes of the third quarter was finished by Anderson running in for the touchdown and also carrying the ball to complete the 2-point conversion and end the third with the Blackhawks trailing 36-16.

With 8:41 left to play in game, Tauer reached in a grab the football from a wrapped up Blackhawk runner. Tauer took it to the end zone for St. Mary’s final touchdown.

“We had him and pushed him back, I just saw the ball so I grabbed it, tucked it, and took off running,” Tauer said.

Tauer’s defensive touchdown completed the scoring as the Knights win 42-16.

Madelia’s Anderson had 98 yards rushing from 23 carries and went 8 for 16 passing. Arduser had 44 yards from three receptions and Luke Hennis went 23 yards from three receptions and 59 yards rushing.

Sanchez led the Knights with 187 yards rushing, Luke Miller had 73 yards on the ground and Labat carried the ball for 106 yards.

Madelia will host Nicollet at 7 p.m. on Friday.

St. Mary’s has its homecoming game against West Lutheran at 7 p.m. on Friday.