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WORTHINGTON — The Edgerton Public football team had fourth-down-and-1 at the Hills-Beaver Creek 49-yard line.
On that play, the Patriots denied the Flying Dutchmen a first down by the slimmest of margins.
The officiating crew called out the chain gang for a measurement, and it was determined Edgerton didn’t make it. And HBC was on its way to a 40-14 victory in the Section 3 9-Player Championship at Trojan Field Friday, Oct. 31.
One could have used an index card to measure between the tip of the ball and the pole at the end of the chain, reminiscent of when NFL referee Gene Steratore did the same in a 2017 game between the then Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.
Edgerton Public’s Carson Van’t Hof makes a diving interception during the first half of the Section 3 9-Player Championship at Worthington’s Trojan Field Friday, Oct. 31. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“Edgerton is a very good team,” HBC head coach Rex Metzger said in an email to the Pipestone County Star. “We knew coming into the game it was going to be physical.”
After that fateful measurement, HBC eventually scored its second TD on a Jamin Metzger 8-yard rush. Riggins Rheault powered through for the two-point conversion at the 2:36 mark of the first quarter, and the Patriots were up 14-0.
Edgerton breaks through
Edgerton didn’t cross the goal line until 1:46 remained in the third quarter as quarterback Colin Scholten connected with Kade Moffit on a 29-yard pass.
Michael Gunnink added a 26-yard TD with 2:50 left in the fourth. Moffitt and Scholten combined on the subsequent two-point conversion.
Edgerton Public’s Michael Gunnink tries to find running room during the Section 3 9-Player championship game on Friday, Oct. 31, in Worthington.(Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Edgerton (8-2) will lose the following players to graduation: Michael Gunnink, Kade Moffitt, Dakota Erickson, Evan Skyberg, Avery Bootsma, Declan Bot, Keeton Ockenga, Jacob Wassink, Brady Jandl and Jose Puente.
Carson Van’t Hof was Edgerton’s top defensive player with 10 solo tackles and an interception, diving to pick off Jamin Metzger in the opening half. Tucker Arp blocked a Patriots’ extra-point kick in the fourth quarter. Gunnink, Moffitt and Jandl finished with six solo tackles apiece.
Offensively, Gunnink had 22 rushes for 125 yards. Skyberg added 28 yards. Moffitt caught three passes for 45 yards. Scholten threw just six times.
Talented sophomore offensive/defensive lineman Tanner Thomson was lost to an injury during the first half.
HBC has eliminated Edgerton from the playoffs in two of the past three seasons. Still, the Flying Dutchmen have one of the best programs around with 23 victories during such time under head coach Andrew Fleischman.
Weather fit for Halloween night also played a role in the game, with bone-chilling winds and drizzle impacting the ball.
Edgerton Public’s Tucker Arp (2) attempts to punt during the Section 3 9-Player championship game on Friday, Oct. 31, in Worthington. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
College prospects
South Dakota State University pledge Micah Bush opened the scoring on a 49-yard pass connection with Jamin Metzger (who has committed to the University of Sioux Falls).
“Hitting Micah early on was a big play, and he’s been making those types of plays all year long,” Coach Metzger explained. “I thought Jamin made some great throws, and we were able to stretch them vertical in our pass game.”
Hills-Beaver Creek quarterback Jamin Metzger attempts to pass while Edgerton Public’s Brady Jandl applies pressure during the Section 3 9-Player Championship in Worthington. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
It was simply a matter of the Patriots having too many weapons for the Flying Dutchmen to contend with.
HBC finished with margins of 374-197 in total offense, and 21-9 in first downs.
Jamin Metzger was 11-of-16 passing for 185 yards, three TD and one interception. Eduardo Wegener was the leading rusher (14 carries, 71 yards) and Bush finished with 111 all-purpose yards rushing and receiving.
Ahead for Hills-Beaver Creek
MARSHALL — Hills-Beaver Creek (10-0) will play Section 2 champion Red Rock Central in the 9-Player quarterfinals 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Southwest Minnesota State University’s Mattke Field.
Edgerton Public’s Michael Gunnink attempts to tackle Hills-Beaver Creek’s Brodie Metzger during the Section 3 9-Player championship. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“We are excited about the opportunity to play in the tournament again,” Coach Metzger said. “This group of guys love playing football and playing together. It will be another tough match-up against RRC, and we are going to have to play our best.”
Per MSHSL’s website, quarterfinal admission prices are $13 per adult and $9 per student.
Winners will advance to the semifinals set for U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Other teams still alive are: Kittson County Central, Cook County, Fertile-Beltrami, Cromwell-Wright Area, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy and Mabel-Canton. Fertile-Beltrami stopped HBC in last year’s title game, 20-8.
Edgerton Public’s Tanner Thomson attempts to block a possible Jamin Metzger pass. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Friday, Oct. 31
At Trojan Field, Worthington
Hills-Beaver Creek 40, Edgerton 14
Score By Quarters
Edge 0 0 6 8 — 14
HBC 14 14 6 6 — 40
Records: Edgerton, 8-2; HBC, 10-0
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
HBC — Micah Bush 49 pass from Jamin Metzger (run failed)
HBC — Jamin Metzger 8 run (Riggins Rheault run)
Second Quarter
HBC — Brodie Metzger 42 pass from Jamin Metzger (pass failed)
HBC — Karson Metzger 15 pass from Jamin Metzger (Karson Metzger pass from Brodie Metzger)
Third Quarter
HBC — Jamin Metzger 3 run (kick blocked)
Edge — Kade Moffitt 29 pass from Colin Scholten (run failed)
Fourth Quarter
HBC — Bode Kruger 5 run (kick blocked)
Edge — Michael Gunnink 26 run (Moffitt pass from Scholten)