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The Pipestone Area Schools football team is currently preparing the 67th installment of the “Battle Axe” game.
The “Battle Axe” game also may be found in other states such as Texas where that’s the name given to the contest between Lewisville and Flower Mound Marcus, which was won by Lewisville last Friday, 27-21, in overtime.
What makes this “Battle Axe” game so special?
“Yeah, obviously the axe is a big deal,” PAS head coach Scott Booomgaarden said. “It’s a competitive game. They are a good team, and I respect what Coach (Todd) Oye does.”
The games are typically clean, hard-fought ones, and last year Nohel Torres-Vivanco provided the difference in a 3-0 Arrows conquest.
Nehemiah Ostermeier recovered a key Carter Sehr fumble in the fourth quarter to tuck victory safely in PAS’ collective pockets at Cardinal Field. Graduated Rysley Borman also had a key 23-yard reception along the sideline.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Jackson Post (51) blocks along the offensive line during a high school football game versus Minnesota Valley Lutheran on Friday, Sept. 27. Post and the Arrows are preparing for Luverne’s beefy odd-man defense in this week’s “Battle Axe” Game. (Photo by Eric Viccaro)
What’s more, the winning school keeps the axe for one calendar year, and those bragging rights.
Hudson Burnett, Jackson Morgan and Jackson Melcher were seen running off the field with the axe during the 2023 contest.
Most recently, since 2017, the Arrows have won four of seven games in this longstanding series.
One thing is certain, either the Arrows or Cardinals will receive their first blemish on the season — heightening the obvious tension for this clash.
Boomgaarden said Luverne’s offense is rooted in the old-school option.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Cayden Zephier and his teammates listen to coach Scott Boomgaarden during a timeout in a football game at Johnson Field in New Ulm on Friday, Sept. 27. (Photo by Eric Viccaro)
“They’re going to run the option like they always have,” the coach commented. “They have good skill position players.”
Expect to see the Cardinals run behind their big offensive line. They have plenty of heft thanks to Layne Sasker (300 pounds), Lucas Madison (295), Samuel Hinz (285), Dayson Fritz (275), Elijah Woodley (250) and Keaton Ahrendt (250).
In last week’s win over Blue Earth Area, Jaydon Johnson paced the rushing attack with 91 yards and three TD. Sehr passed for 168 yards, and he added 55 more on the ground. Darius Dolo and Jaxon Lais also figure prominently in Luverne’s offense.
Defensively, Luverne will employ a three-man front, and it generates plenty of tackles from interior lineman and linebackers. Coach Boomgaarden said they will be “a handful.”
Meanwhile, PAS scored its second-highest season number of points last Friday at Minnesota Valley Lutheran (34). The Arrows have outscored opponents, 115-62. Luverne has been even tougher to score on (34 points allowed all season).
Woodley had 10 tackles versus BEA while Connor Bose and Landyn Lais had nine each. The Cardinals forced three turnovers, including a Jaxon Lais pick.
As is typically the case, Boomgaarden said the team that wins the turnover battle should be victorious.
“This game is going to come down to who takes care of the ball better,” he said. “It’s the team that values the football.”
Pipestone Area Schools logo. (Contributed graphic)
WEEK SIX
Who: Luverne (5-0) at Pipestone Area (5-0)
The skinny: Battle Axe. Need we say more.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Paulsen Field, Pipestone. 1133 2nd Street SW. Off Minnesota State Highway 30.
What’s At Stake?: Bragging rights, and a 6-0 start.
Radio/Streaming: KLOH 1050 AM, Christensen Broadcasting
Also: Video will be posted to the Pipestone County Star Facebook page.
Tickets: $7 for adults and $5 for students (non-PAS schools students) and senior citizens age 65 and older.
Last year: Pipestone Area 3, Luverne 0
Additional festivities
This game will mark Military Appreciation and First Responders Night.
Present the appropriate identification, and the entrant will be admitted free, per the PAS’ Big South Conference web page.
The Pipestone Arrows Athletic Boosters, with JBS serving as the sponsor, will have a special meal deal during the game. The cost is $7.
There also will be a fireworks presentation after the game.
Recent “Battle Axe” games
2013: Pipestone 22, Luverne 21
2013: Luverne 25, Pipestone 24 (playoff game)
2014: Pipestone 18, Luverne 16
2015: Pipestone 21, Luverne 6
2016: Luverne 23, Pipestone 6
2017: Pipestone 14, Luverne 0
2018: Pipestone 33, Luverne 12
2019: Luverne 13, Pipestone 12
2020: Luverne 22, Pipestone 0 (COVID-19 year)
2021: Pipestone 20, Luverne 16
2022: Luverne 27, Pipestone 20
Source: MaxPreps