St. Michael-Albertville Uses Huge First Half to Crush Sabres in St. Cloud

St. Michael-Albertville football is headed to the Mall of America Field at Metrodome for the first time as a member of Class 5A thanks to Noah Evans, Dallas Freeman and a huge first half from the Knights defense. 

STMA dominated the first half, using a formula it used so well in a Section 6 semifinal victory over Buffalo just two short weeks ago when it took a 42-0 lead at halftime en route to a 42-14 victory and a birth in the Section 6 title game, which it won over Rogers. 

The Knights were steady on offense, using the running game of Noah Evans and Chris Kartes to pound the ball against a Sabres defense that was susceptible to the run. 

It then pounced on Sabres' mistakes, including a fumble deep in its own territory that set up the Knights third touchdown on the offense's third drive. 

"At this point in the season it comes down to executing the running game and then finding a big play when you need one," said head coach Jared Essler heading into Thursday night's title at St. Cloud State Husky Stadium. "We've been able to do that well so far in the playoffs." 

Defensively, STMA held star junior Darek Stachowski in check until the game was out of hand. Stachowski, who had more than 260 yards in the Section 8-5A title game, was kept out of the end zone in the first half as the Knights built a 32-0 lead. 

Evans finished the first half with three touchdowns, Kartes added another and Dallas Freeman made a huge play with an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown that will go down in STMA football history. 

The Sabres made a run in the second half, after the Knights pushed the lead to 39-0 on a run by Kartes. The hurry-up offense allowed Sartell to score 22 straight at one point, but Freeman and quarterback Jackson Greenwaldt slammed the door with a 25-yard touchdown pass for a score. 

Each team would add another touchdown, and the Knights would ride back with a 52-28 win. 

For Essler, it's his first taste at a state tournament since he was a standout with Minot (N.D.) Ryan, where he won a state title back in the 1990s. 

"We really feel we have a good, tough brand of football. We play hard on defense. We can run the ball. And we have the guys who can go out and make a big play. When you can do that, you can be successful. We're just really proud of this group and what they've been able to do so far," Essler said. 

The Knights will take on Owatonna at the Metrodome at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. The Huskies are the No. 1-ranked team in Class 5A, and haven't allowed a point in two straight postseason games, knocking off Rochester Mayo 42-0 in the Section 1-5A championship and upending Apple Valley 32-0 on Nov. 7. 

Friday's game will be broadcast on KRWC and featured on KRWC.com, and feature Patch's own Mike Schoemer in the booth.