In a game that in no way mirrored last year’s section playoff, the Becker Bulldogs soundly defeated the Big Lake Hornets by a score of 37-14 at Monticello High School last Saturday in the Section 6AAAA final.

 

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 22-point lead by halftime and cruised to the 23-point win behind three interceptions from Nick Mittelstaedt and the efficiency of the Becker offense.

 

QB Josh Fobbe had a solid game, throwing for 100 yards on seven-of-10 passing and two touchdowns. RB Sidney Boros had another 100-yard game (fourth in a row), rambling for 105 yards on 23 carries — but was held out of the end zone.

 

The scoring for Becker came from a 19-yard strike from Fobbe to Brady Sheeley for the game’s first score with 1:03 left in the first quarter. The Bulldogs converted on a two-point attempt when Alex Blomgren powered into the end zone to put Becker up 8-0.

 

The Sheeley score came after an earlier Bulldog drive came to a scorching halt at the eight-yard line when Blomgren lost the slippery pigskin. Big Lake jumped on the little squealer and was set up deep in their own zone late in the first.

 

The game was full of miscues as Big Lake’s QB and center had several muffed snaps throughout the contest that resulted in fumbles and lost yards. Their first miscue led directly to the game’s first score.

 

QB Spencer Hinrichs tried to squeeze a pass in over the middle at the 25 and Mittelstaedt stepped in front of the receiver and hauled in the first of three picks in the game. On the very next play, Fobbe found Sheeley between three defenders for the TD. On the conversion, Big Lake was penalized for a facemask, giving the Bulldogs a decidedly short field to kick off from following the score. So the Bulldog coaches attempted an onsider — but the Hornets were ready for it and recovered the ball at the 32.

 

After a quick three-and-out, Becker got the ball back after a punt and drove down the field for a score with 7:33 left in the half. Fobbe scrambled for the final nine yards and after a successful extra point, the Bulldogs were up 15-0.

 

Big Lake took the kickoff to the 23 and began a drive to try and get back into the ballgame before halftime. They successfully navigated 39 yards to Becker’s 38 before a failed fourth down gave the ball back to Becker with time winding down.

 

Fobbe and company used the remaining minute or so to triumphantly march the field to Big Lake’s two. Blomgren plowed over from there and with the clock at zero, Becker increased their lead to 22-0 when the gun sounded.

 

Big Lake received the second half kickoff and failed to make any ground — kicking the ball back to Becker at their 22. The Hornets were stout and forced Becker to return the favor as Fobbe punted the ball to Big Lake’s 40.

 

The Hornets looked to be finally sustaining a drive until Fobbe stepped in front of a Hornet receiver on a fourth and seven to give Becker the ball back at their own 27.

 

Four plays later, Becker was faced with a fourth down deep in their own end — until Fobbe booted a 63-yard punt to Big Lake’s 17 to pin them back near the goal line.

 

The quarter closed out with a good drive from Big Lake that reached Becker’s 44. Hinrichs took the snap on the first play of the fourth and heaved a huge pass downfield that softly landed in the arms of receiver Devonne Harris. The next play saw Devonne’s brother, Deon scamper 15 yards for the Hornet’s first score. A failed two-pointer  meant the game was at 22-6 in favor of Becker.

 

After Becker put together another decent drive on their next possession, they had to punt from midfield on fourth down. The ball gingerly rolled to the Big Lake seven, where Hinrichs and company set up shop with 9:27 to go.

 

A couple plays into the drive, Mittelstaedt crushed the hopes of the Hornet faithful with his second interception and Becker was back in business at Big Lake’s 23.

 

Moments later, Fobbe found Lucas Dertinger open from 22-yards out to increase the lead. The lead grew a little more when Dertinger caught Fobbe’s pass — while laying on his back — for a successful two-point conversion.

 

Big Lake didn’t give up and after a three-and-out, Becker gave the ball right back to Big Lake at their own 39 when Boros went sideline-to-sideline on a run, only to lose the grip on the ball and Big Lake pounced. The Hornets drove the ball to paydirt when Harris (Deon) dove over from the three to bring the score to 30-14.

 

Blomgren sealed the deal after Mittelstaedt’s third pick when he blasted into the end zone with 1:31 for the game’s final tally.

 

Big Lake ran 70 plays as opposed to Becker’s 53 and gained 308 yards compared to 288 for the Bulldogs. The rushing for both teams was almost dead even (188 for Becker, 187 for Big Lake) and Becker finished with 15 first downs compared to 17 for Big Lake.

 

The turnover situation was where the disparity came in. Becker had two fumbles lost as compared to seven turnovers for the Hornets (three fumbles and four interceptions).

 

With the win, Becker moved on to play the Lumberjacks of Cloquet Friday at SCSU (see story elsewhere in this Citizen-Tribune sports section). Cloquet is 10-0 after they beat North Branch last Friday night, 46-26.

 

Becker (8-4) will be Cloquet’s toughest challenge of the year. Their 10 wins came from teams that  compiled 37-35 records. 

 

The winner moves on to play the winner of the South St. Paul/Marshall matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium next Friday at 4:30 p.m.