ELK RIVER WENT UP AGAINST ST. THOMAS ACADEMY IN THE CLASS 5 A STATE SEMIFINALS

Elk River and St. Thomas Academy went up against each other in the class 5A State Semifinals in the football playoffs.

Elk River kicked off to St. Thomas to start the game. St. Thomas couldn’t move the ball down the field, and they punted on 4th down.

Both teams punted on their first drives of the game.

St. Thomas Danny McFadden came up with a 32-yard run for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was good. With 7:37 left in the first quarter, the score was St. Thomas 8, Elk River 0.

Elk River looked to move the ball down the field, but they punted the ball.

St. Thomas called a timeout with 24 seconds left in the first quarter. The score was St. Thomas 8, Elk River 0.

St. Thomas moved the ball down the field late. On 4th-and-6 St. Thomas went for it but was not able to come up with a first down. They turned the ball over on downs.

After one quarter of play, the score was St. Thomas 8, Elk River 0.

Elk River looked to move the ball down the field and get into the end zone. Elk River’s Joe Nordstrom came up with an 11-yard run for a touchdown. The two-point conversion by Carter Otto was good.

With 8:43 left in the second quarter, the score was tied at 8.

St. Thomas took over on their own 34-yard line. St. Thomas’ Danny McFadden came up with a 20-yard run. McFadden came up with big runs that resulted in first downs. St. Thomas Love Adebayo came up with a 3-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was good.

With 6:14 left in the second quarter, the score was St. Thomas 16, Elk River 8.

Elk River took over on their own 15-yard line. Elk River looked to move the ball down the field and looked to get the ball down the field. Elk River punted on 4th-and-5.

St. Thomas took over on the Elk River 43-yard line. St. Thomas once again looked to get into the end zone late in the second quarter. S

Elk River called a timeout with 1:07 left in the second quarter. The score was Elk River 8, St. Thomas 16.

McFadden came up with a 1-yard run for a touchdown. The two-point conversion by McFadden was good.

With 1:00 left in the second quarter, the score was St. Thomas 24, Elk River 8.

Elk River took over on their own 30-yard line.

Elk River called a timeout with 7 seconds left in the second quarter. The score was St. Thomas Academy 24, Elk River 8. 

Elk River ran one more play and at half time the score was St. Thomas Academy 24, Elk River 8.

St. Thomas kicked off to start the third quarter. Elk River started on their own 27-yard line. Elk River moved the ball down the field on the ground early in the fourth quarter. Elk River turned the ball over on downs.

St. Thomas took over on their own 48-yard line. St. Thomas Danny McFadden came up with a touchdown with a 48-yard run. The two-point conversion was not god.

With 8:46 left in the third quarter, the score was St. Thomas 30, Elk River 8.

Elk River took over on its own 17-yard line. Elk River’s McFadden and Joe Nordstrom both came up with big plays. Elk River punted on 4th-down.

St. Thomas took over on their own 33-yard line. St. Thomas’ Joe Deyak came up with a 61-yard touchdown run.

St. Thomas called a timeout with 6:14 left in the fourth quarter. The score was St. Thomas 36, Elk River 8.

The two-point conversion was good. With 6:14 left in the third quarter, the score was St. Thomas 38, Elk River 8.

Elk River looked to move the ball down the field but the St. Thomas defense stopped them in their tracks.

St. Thomas called a timeout with 2:05 left in the third quarter. The score was St. Thomas 38, Elk River 8.

St. Thomas Baker Reding completed a 39-yard pass to Joe Deyak for a 39-yard reception for a touchdown. The 2 Point conversion run by Love Adebayo was good.

With 26 seconds left in the third quarter, the score was St. Thomas 46, Elk River 8.

Elk River took over on its own 39-yard line.

After three quarters of play, the score was St. Thomas 46, Elk River 8.

St. Thomas took over on their own 12-yard line. St. Thomas Caleb Zweifel came up with an 85-yard run for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good.

With 9:53 left in the fourth quarter, the score was St. Thomas 53, Elk River 8.

Elk River moved the ball down the field after the touchdown.

Elk River called a timeout with 8:03 left in the fourth quarter. The score was St. Thomas 53, Elk River 8.

Elk River moved the ball down the field late in the game. Elk River’s Beau Ruby came up with a 5-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion run by Albis Almanzar was good. 

With 2:02 left in the fourth quarter, the score was St. Thomas 53, Elk River 16.

St. Thomas let the clock run out late in the game.

Both teams played hard but, in the end, St. Thomas came away with the 53-16 victory over Elk River.

ELK RIVER AND BUFFALO HAVE A GAME FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

On Friday, Sept. 22, Elk River and Buffalo got their offense rolling and it didn’t get turned off.

In a game that went back and forth according to Jim Paulsen of the Star Tribune, Elk River came away with the 80-70 victory over Buffalo.

You can read about the game according to Jim Paulson thoughts on his prep blog for the Star Tribune.

ELK RIVER WENT UP AGAINST ROGERS IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

On Dec. 19 Elk River and Rogers squared off in a boys' basketball game. Elk River started out in a zone defense. They looked to push the tempo.

Elk River took a lot of time off the clock in the first half by swinging the ball around the 3-point line.

It took a while for each team go get into a shooting rhythm.

Rogers did a good job of swinging the ball around the 3-point line as they attacked the Elk River defense.

Rogers had a difficult time shooting the ball in the first half. They couldn’t hit shots that they put up.

Elk River’s Matt Keller came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Rogers had a difficult time making shots against the zone.

Elk River stepped up and was able to knock down 3-point shots. The Rogers defense had a hard time slowing them down.

At halftime the score was Elk River 30, Rogers 19.

As the second half got underway Rogers continued to push the ball down the floor and looked to get the ball into the hands of Allan Wilson. Wilson was able to get to the basket and make layups.

Elk River slowed their offensive production down early in the second half. They were not scoring as fast as they did in the first half.

Keller kept on shooting the ball well. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Rogers did a good job of getting the ball into the hands of Wilson. Wilson came up with some deep three-point shots.

Elk River came away with the 60-51 victory over Rogers.

The leading scorer for Rogers was Wilson with 27 points.

The leading scorer for Elk River was Keller with 28 points.  

SAUK RAPIDS AND ELK RIVER WENT UP AGAINST EACH OTHER IN A SECTION FOOTBALL GAME

Sauk Rapids took on Elk River in a Section 6 Class 5A football game on Oct. 13. Sauk Rapids kicked off to Elk River to start the game.

 

Elk River started near midfield. Elk River moved the ball down the field on the ground and in the air.

 

Jack Kolar came up with a touchdown reception. The two-point conversion was good.

 

With 9:42 left in the first quarter the score was Elk River 8, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Sauk Rapids kept the ball on the ground in the first quarter. On 4th-and-6 Sauk Rapids punted.

 

Elk River couldn’t move the ball down the field as their offense stalled. Elk River punted on 4th-and-6.

 

Sauk Rapids also used the running game well as they tried to move the ball down the field.

 

Elk River got the ball back on a punt and Jack Kolar came up with a 62-yard touchdown run. The two-point attempt was no good.

 

With 3:27 left in the first quarter the score was Elk River 14, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Sauk Rapids fumbled the ball and Elk River recovered.

 

Elk River took over on the Sauk Rapids 28-yard line. Elk River looked to get into the end zone again.

 

They moved the ball down the field on the ground. Elk River’s Trent Pink came up with a 1-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 1:25 left in the first quarter the score was Elk River 21, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Elk River attempted an onside kick and recovered it. Elk River took over near midfield.

 

After one quarter of play the score was Elk River 21, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

On the first play of scrimmage Nicholas Rice ran 35 yards for a Elk River touchdown. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 11:53 left in the second quarter the score as Elk River 28, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Sauk Rapids took on their own 39-yard line. Elk River took over on downs. Elk River took over on the 10-yard line. Elk River moved the ball down the field once again.

 

Elk River called a timeout with 9:40 left in the second quarter. The score was Elk River 28, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Elk River’s Kolar came up with a 3-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 9:35 left in the second quarter the score was Elk River 35, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Sauk Rapids took over on their own 22 yard line. The Elk River defense stepped up big and was able to get to the Sauk Rapids quarterback. On 4th-and-22 Sauk Rapids elected to punt the ball.

 

Both teams exchanged possessions late in the second quarter.  

 

At halftime the score was Elk River 35, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Elk River kicked off to start the third quarter. The ball went out of bounds and Sauk Rapids got the ball on the 20 yard line. Sauk Rapids Zach Fuecker came up with a huge 32-yard reception for a first down.

 

Sauk Rapids used both the running and passing attack early. Sauk Rapids turned the ball over on downs.

 

Elk River’s Kyle Zimmer came up with a 69-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 8:47 left in the third quarter the score was Elk River 42, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Sauk Rapids took over on their own 21-yard line. Sauk Rapids fumbled the ball and Elk River’s John McClay came up with the ball on the 4-yard line. Elk River’s Blake Hills came up with a 4-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was not good.

 

With 7:40 left in the third quarter the score was Elk River 48, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Sauk Rapids took over on the 30-yard line. They couldn’t move the ball down the field and they punted on 4th-and 7. Elk River’s Jackson Smith blocked the ball and ran it in for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 5:57 left in the third quarter the score the score was Elk River 55, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Sauk Rapids took over on their own 21-yard line. Sauk Rapids kept the ball on the ground. Gage Dooley the quarterback knew where his teammates were on the field as he looked to get them the ball. On 4th-and-4 Nathan Waldorf came up with a huge run for a first down. Sauk Rapids fumbled the ball and Elk River recovered it.

 

After three quarters of play the score was Elk River 55, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Elk River’s Sam Johnson came up with some huge runs for first downs of 15 yards in the fourth quarter. Elk River did a good job of getting younger players in the game on both sides of the ball.

 

Elk River’s Luke Dickerson came up with a 9-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 4:35 left in the fourth quarter the score was Elk River 62, Sauk Rapids 0.

 

Sauk Rapids took over in their own zone.

 

Elk River came up with the 62-0 victory over Sauk Rapids.

MOORHEAD WENT UP AGAINST ELK RIVER IN A FOOTBALL GAME

Moorhead and Elk River squared off in a football game in Elk River on Oct. 8.

 

Moorhead kicked off to start the game. Elk River started on their own 27-yard line. Elk River looked to move the ball down the field on their first drive of the game. Elk River looked to keep the ball on the ground early. The Moorhead defense stepped up and was able to frustrate the quarterback. Elk River used the running game a lot throughout the first quarter. Elk River quarterback Trent Pink looked to get his receivers and running backs involved in the offense.

 

Elk River turned the ball over on downs on their first drive. Moorhead took over on their own 25-yard line. Moorhead running back Michael Duginski looked to get the ball into his hands as he looked to get first downs.

 

Moorhead took a timeout with 3:43 left in the first quarter the score was tied at 0.

 

Moorhead’s Carter Howell came up with a 29-yard reception that resulted in a first down.

 

Moorhead’s Otis Weah found some big holes in the defense as he was able to pick up some big running yards. Moorhead receiver Carter Howell came up with a first down reception.

 

After one quarter of play the score was tied at 0.

 

As the second quarter got underway Moorhead looked to get into the end zone. Moorhead did this that with 11:34 left in the second quarter as Sam Grove found the end zone on a 1-yard run. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 11:24 left in the second quarter the score was Moorhead 7, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River took over on their over on their own 31-yard line. Elk River moved the ball down the field as they looked to keep the ball on the ground. Elk River had difficulties holding onto the ball. On 4th-and-long Elk River punted the ball.

 

Moorhead took over on their own 32-yard line. Moorhead used both the running and passing attack as they were able to get through the Elk River defense. Moorhead moved the ball down the field as they looked to get into the end zone. Moorhead’s Davante Delbrune ran 8 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was no good.

 

With 4:30 left in the second quarter the score was Moorhead 13, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River looked to move the ball down the field as they switched up their offense between the passing game and the running game. Elk River turned the ball over on downs.

 

Moorhead took over on downs near midfield.

 

Moorhead called a timeout with 1:37 left in the second quarter. The score was Moorhead 13, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River took over on an interception. They took over on the Moorhead 19-yard line. Elk River looked to get first downs on short passing routes.

 

After two quarters of play at halftime the score was Moorhead 13, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River kicked off to start the third quarter Moorhead took over on their own 31-yard line.

 

Moorhead kept the ball on the ground on their first drive as Malique Delbrune came up with some big runs that kept the chains moving. Hunter Brant came up with a 24-yard reception that put the ball on the 9-yard line. Moorhead’s Delbrune ran 9 yards for a touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good.

 

With 7:13 left in the third quarter the score was Moorhead 19, Elk River 0.

 

Elk River took over on their own 36-yard line. Elk River’s Sam Gibas came up with a huge run as he came up with a first down. Elk River found the end zone on a 1 yard as quarterback Tyler Pink came up with a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 4:49 left in the third quarter the score was Moorhead 19, Elk River 7.

 

Elk River recovered the onside kick. Elk River looked to march down the field and get back into the touchdown. Jack Kolar came up with a 6-yard rush that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Kyle Ziemer. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 1:13 left in the third quarter the score was Moorhead 19, Elk River 14. That was the score after three quarters of play.

 

Moorhead’s Carter Howell came up with a 44-yard touchdown reception from Matt Bye, the extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 10:47 left in the third quarter the score was Moorhead 26, Elk River 14.

 

Elk River got their offense going in the fourth quarter. The defense of Moorhead stepped up as they were able to slow down the Elk River offense. Elk River turned the ball over on downs.

 

Moorhead took over on their own 24-yard line. Moorhead kept the ball on the ground as they looked to take time off the clock late in the fourth quarter.

 

Moorhead’s Alex Erickson came up with a 4-yard touchdown reception. The extra-point attempt was good. With 2 seconds left in the game the score was Moorhead 33, Elk River 14.

 

Moorhead came away with the 33-14 victory over Elk River.

BUFFALO WENT UP AGAINST ELK RIVER IN A BOYS SECTION BASKETBALL GAME

Buffalo and Elk River squared off in a Section 8 Class 4A boys’ basketball quarterfinal game.

Elk River’s Matt Keller was able to come up with layups early.

Buffalo’s Jered High came out hot as he scored the first 6 of Buffalo’s 8 points. He was able to make both mid-range jump shots and layups.

The score went back and forth early. Neither team went on a huge run.

Elk River’s Zach Dahl stepped up with mid-range jump shots.

Both teams did a good job of subbing players in and out of the game. Buffalo looked to push the ball down the floor and looked to make layups.

Buffalo called a timeout with 5:26 left in the first half. The score was Elk River 25, Buffalo 21.

Buffalo used a zone defense that made Elk River take deep 3-point baskets.

Elk Rivers’ Mitchell Weege came up with huge 3-point baskets. If Weege thought that he could make layups he would also shoot those.

At halftime the score was Elk River 33, Buffalo 29. The leading scorers at halftime were High 12 for Buffalo and Keller with 17 for Elk River.

As the second half got underway the score remained close. The score went back and forth.

Keller kept on hitting deep 3-point baskets. The defense had a hard time slowing him down.

Buffalo called a timeout with 11:54 left in regulation. The score was Elk River 48, Buffalo 39.

Elk River used mostly a motion offense. They passed and cut and was able to zip the ball around the court and was able to get everyone involved in the offense.

Buffalo called a timeout with 7:58 left in regulation. The score was Elk River 55, Buffalo 45.

Buffalo looked to trap the ball after the timeout. They switched up between different defenses.

Buffalo didn’t back down. They kept on attacking the basket and looking to get baskets. Buffalo was able to wear Elk River down. They were able to get within 7 points with 3:29 left in regulation.

Buffalo got hot late in the game. Buffalo’s Cory Thielman made mid-range jump shots and layups.

In a very intense game which came down to the wire Elk River came away with the 73-70 victory over Buffalo.

The leading scores for Elk River were Keller 26, and Burger with 19 points.

The leading scorer for Buffalo was High with 26 points.

OSSEO WENT UP AGAINST ELK RIVER IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Jan. 8, Osseo went up against Elk River in a boys’ basketball game. Elk River looked to score baskets in transition early. 

Elk River looked to get the ball into the hands of Zeke Delian and Trent Pink. Both Delian and Pink were able to come up with layups in transition. 

Osseo played mostly man-to-man in the first half. 

Elk River was able to score baskets in transition. They were able to come up with layups throughout the first half. 

Osseo’s Marmar Hughes came off the bench and was able to come up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

Osseo called a timeout with 7:50 left in the first half. The score was Elk River 18, Osseo 9.

Osseo’s Elliot Kane came up with deep 3-point baskets that kept Osseo in the game.

Osseo was able to come up with some rebounds late in the first half. 

Delian and Pink both continued to make shots that they put up. Their teammates did a good job of getting them the ball in spots where they could shoot it.

Osseo’s Kameron Bettie called for the ball in the paint. Bettie was able to catch the ball in the paint and come up with layups and jump shots.

At halftime the score was Elk River 32, Osseo 21.

As the second half got underway Osseo was able to get to the basket and make layups and jump shots. They went on a 16-3 run to open the second half. 

Osseo’s Allen Anderson came up with 3-point baskets to keep Osseo in the game.

Osseo attacked the basket and came up with 3-point baskets.

Osseo called a timeout with 11:55 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 40, Elk River 39.

The score went back and forth for a period of time in the second half. There were multiple ties and lead changes.

Osseo’s Anderson kept attacking the basket and came up with huge layups throughout the second half. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in sports where he could shoot it.

Osseo’s Steve Fischer came up with layups in the second half. He did a good job of getting past his defenders and getting to the basket.

The game came down to the wire. Elk River’s Delian and Pink and Mitchell Weege all stepped up and knocked down huge shots for Elk River through the game. Those three players were their offensive glue. 

Osseo’s Kane and Anderson came up with huge baskets throughout the game.

In a game that came down to the wire Osseo came away with the 61-57 victory over Elk River.

The leading scorers for Elk River were Pink 15, Delian 14 and Wegge with 12 points.

The leading scorers for Osseo were Kane with 19 and Anderson with 16 points.

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Osseo vs. Elk River.

ELK RIVER TOOK ON ARMSTRONG IN A BOYS BASKETBALL GAME

Elk River and Armstrong went up against each other in a boys’ basketball game on Feb. 19.

 

Elk River started out the game in a zone defense. They couldn’t slow down the Armstrong offense.

 

Armstrong looked to get the ball out of the net on the defensive end and take the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. Armstrong’s Jerome Dixon was able to bring the ball down the floor and get the ball to his teammates. Dixon had good court awareness as he knew where everyone was on the floor. Teammate Evan Nolan stepped up and was able to knock down some deep three-point shots.

 

Elk River’s Clay Elrod took the ball hard to the basket. He was able to come up with layups.

 

Armstrong’s Melvin Newbern came off the bench and provided an offensive spark. On the defensive end Newbern was able to slow down the guy that he was guarding.

 

Elk River did a good job of swinging the ball around the three-point line. They wanted to get the ball inside to Trent Pink who was calling for the ball.

 

There were several ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run in the first half.

 

Newbern came up with some layups in the first half. The guy he was defending was not able to guard him. He also picked up his third personal foul with just over two minutes left in the first half.

 

Armstrong was able to slow down the tempo of the game late in the first half by going into a zone.

 

Armstrong’s Evan Nolan came up with some deep three-point baskets late in the half.

 

At halftime the score was Armstrong 47, Elk River 28.

 

Nolan continued to hit three-point shots in the second half.

 

Elk River went to a zone defense in the second half. They wanted to force Armstrong to take deep shots. Armstrong did a good job of getting the ball down the floor and making shots in transition.

 

Armstrong stepped up and was able to knock down jump shots in the second half. Elk River didn’t back down to Armstrong.

 

Elk River kept on chipping away at the deficit.

 

Elk River called a timeout with 8:02 left in regulation. The score was Armstrong 59, Elk River 48.

 

Nolan continued to drain three-point baskets late. Teammate Jerome Dickson also was able to make a few three-point shots.

 

Elk River’s Devell Miller attacked the basket and was able to make layups late in the contest.

 

Elk River called a timeout with 3:25 left in regulation. The score was Armstrong 71, Elk River 65.

 

Armstrong’s Sean Burns got hot late in the second half as he was able to knock down deep three-point baskets. No one on Elk River could slow him down.

 

Armstrong came away with the 85-75 victory over Elk River.

 

The leading scorer for Elk River was Elrod with 26 points.

 

The leading scorer for Armstrong was Nolan with 27 points.

 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts on the Elk River vs. Armstrong game.