|
|
 |
Princeton mounted a 10-play, 76 yard drive in the closing minutes of the game to lift the Tigers over the North Branch Vikings 21-17 on Oct. 1.
The Tigers remain undefeated atop their division of the Rum River Conference at 4-0. The Vikings are 0-1 in conference play and 3-2 overall.
The hard-fought game was a classic which saw five lead changes, the biggest of which was a 7 point advantage by Princeton in the 2nd quarter. Neither team scored in the first quarter.
Adam Gades kicked a 37 yard field goal following the Princeton touchdown to make the score 3-7, where it stood at halftime.
North Branch took the lead late in the 3rd quarter on a 33 yard pass reception from Matt Warren to Tony Watters, but Princeton marched right back to score two minutes later on a 5 play, 60 yard drive that ended with a 19 yard touchdown run, making the score 10-13 at the end of the third quarter.
With 6 minutes left in the game Warren again hit Watters for a 12 yard TD reception, and the Gades extra point made the score 17-13.
Thatís when Princeton dug in for its game-winning drive, which culminated in a 30 yard TD reception with 2:15 remaining on the clock.
The teams were nearly identical in passing yardage, with North Branch gaining 185 yards on 22 passes and Princeton putting up 187 yards on 22 passes. The Tigers posted a clear edge in rushing, however, accumulating 186 yards on 43 rushes to the Vikingsí 51 yards on 25 runs.
Watters was the Vikingsí leading receiver with 5 catches for 110 yards, including 2 touchdowns. Gades was the leading rusher with 27 yards on 7 carries.
The game, played in near freezing temperatures, saw six fumbles, five of them by Princeton and one by North Branch. Princeton recovered all but one of its own fumbles.
ìThis was a great high school game. Our kids played their hearts out and battled throughout,î said Coach Joel Swanson.
ìYou have to give Princeton credit. They came through with four big crucial plays on that game winning drive,î Swanson said.
Up next: v. St. Michael-Albertville, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com