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Vikings roll Rabbits 28-13

Hennen too much for Wabasso, Minneota takes home state title

Photo Courtesy of Don Borstad Wabasso’s Cooper Taylor (43) takes the ball down the field against Minneota in the Class A state finals game. Taylor ran for 76 yards and a score on 16 carries.

By Brennen Rupp

Marshall Independent

MINNEAPOLIS — Wabasso’s bid for its first state title in program history came up short on Saturday. The Rabbits could not slow down Minneota’s Isaac Hennen, who rushed for 291 yards and three touchdowns to help the Vikings defeat the Rabbits 28-13.

“We were sticking with them,” Wabasso’s Nick Altermatt said. “I think they wore us out. The defense was on the field for a long time. They kept pounding it right at us. They are a good team and they have good runners.”

Wabasso’s coach, Joe Kemp said that Minneota’s offensive line wore his defense down as the game went on.

“They started going unbalanced and coming down hill at us,” Kemp said. “Minneota’s offensive line was really good today.”

The Rabbits controlled the tempo of the game in the first quarter and it all started when the Rabbits forced the Vikings to go three and out on the opening drive of the game.

Wabasso forced another three and out deep inside Minneota territory. The Rabbits’ Altermatt blocked the punt to set themselves up inside the Minneota five-yard line.

“We worked on it Thursday in practice,” Altermatt said. “I don’t think they saw it coming. That set the tone for the first quarter.”

Cooper Taylor ran in a 1-yard touchdown two plays later to put the Rabbits up 7-0 with 1:26 remaining in the first quarter.

The Vikings were marching and appeared to be on their way to tying the game up on the next drive. That’s when the Rabbits defense came up with a big play. Wabasso’s Jacob Plaetz picked off Alex Pohlen to put a stop the Minneota drive.

The Rabbits marched down the field and faced a fourth and four from the Minneota 10-yard line. Coming out of a timeout, the Rabbits opted to go for it instead of attempting a field goal. It was a decision that proved to be a turning point in the game when the Vikings came up with a huge defensive stop.

“I think it had something to do with it,” Kemp said. “I was ready to kick the field goal, but I trust these guys a lot. These guys wanted to go for it and if they were confident. I’m not casting any blame on these guys. I’m just saying that they are that confident and I believe in them.”

Following the key defensive stop the Vikings turned to Hennen. The senior running back carried the ball nine times on a 10 play drive. Hennen capped off the drive with a 24-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 late in the second quarter.

The Rabbits received the opening kick in the second half, but they were unable to move the sticks and went three and out. Kemp said that the Rabbits struggled to consistently move the ball against the aggressive Minneota defense all day.

“They were bringing guys at the point of attack,” Kemp said. “They were coming downhill hard. We had a few opportunities but not enough. We missed a few blocks. They were going to come downhill fast and make you make plays downfield.”

The Vikings took their first lead of the game at the 6:21 mark in the third quarter off an Alex Pohlen touchdown.

The Rabbits trailed the Vikings 13-7 to start the fourth quarter but started the final quarter with the ball inside Minneota’s 40-yard line. Wabasso tied the game at the 11:23 mark off an Kyle Jacobson rushing touchdown.

The Vikings wasted little time in regaining the lead. Hennen scored his second touchdown of the game to put the Vikings up 19-13. Hennen converted the two-point conversion to give the Vikings a 21-13 lead.

Cole Sanow picked off Altermatt with 3:40 left in the game to set the Vikings up at the Wabasso 34-yard line. A few plays later Hennen scored his third touchdown of the game to put the Vikings up 28-13 with 2:22 left in the game.

The game was the final game for 13 seniors that helped the Rabbits make back to back state tournament trips.

“I had to start a bunch of them when they were freshmen and we went 5-5 that year,” Kemp said. “Most of these guys have been apart of 30 to 35 wins. That’s kind of unheard of. The other guys across the field have the same type of kids. They worked hard and set the standard here. What they did for our football program is going to pay off in the future.”

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