United South Central falls in state quarterfinals

Published 6:42 pm Monday, November 12, 2018

The United South Central football team had its perfect season come to a close Saturday afternoon in the Class A quarterfinals against Blooming Prairie.

Despite holding the potent Awesome Blossoms offense scoreless throughout the first quarter, the Rebels couldn’t stave off a big run in the second quarter, losing 41-0.

The Rebels struggled to get their offense rolling in the first quarter, only gaining 18 yards on their first three drives of the game. Even though their offense was slow, the Rebels defense kept them in the game by forcing two punts and one turnover on downs to keep the game scoreless.

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The Awesome Blossoms didn’t stay down for long, however, taking their first offensive play of the second quarter for an 80-yard touchdown. The Rebels offense again had a rough offensive quarter, only adding four yards to their total in four drives.

United South Central junior Isaac Meyer scrambles for a small gain against Blooming Prairie on Saturday. The Rebels lost the quarterfinals matchup 42-0. – Photo courtesy Courier Sentinel

Blooming Prairie added another two touchdowns before the halftime break to take a 21-0 lead into the locker rooms.

The Rebels started the second half with a promising drive, only to see it end with an interception. The turnover gave the ball back to the Awesome Blossoms in good field position, where they scored in just a few short plays to take a commanding 28-0 lead.

United South Central would have another long drive end with a turnover to start the fourth quarter, and allowed Blooming Prairie to add on and take an insurmountable lead late in the game.

The normally high-powered running attack from the Rebels was limited to just 56 yards through the game, compared to 212 yards by the Awesome Blossoms.

The Rebels finish the season with a record of 10-1 and will lose eight seniors to graduation, including Roel Perales, Santiago Mendoza, Derek Christensen, Gavin Sonnek, George Bias, Jacob Stevermer, Colby Klocek and Jeffrey Giese. However, many offensive weapons will return, such as Isaac Meyer, Zach Niebuhr and A.J. Kloos.

About Tyler Julson

Tyler Julson covers sports for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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