For the third week in a row, the Becker Bulldog football team shut out their opponent — this time the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders were the victim — unfortunately on their homecoming night at SCSU Stadium.

 

But it was Becker that celebrated as they won their seventh game of the year —and third straight shutout — setting up a terrific regular season finale against undefeated Albany next Thursday night at Eppard Field.

 

Becker began Friday’s contest against St. Cloud on the defensive side of the ball and quickly demonstrated why they have one of the top defenses in the state. On the first play from scrimmage, Becker’s Jack Conzemius slipped by the tackle and swamped QB Quinton Young for a nine-yard loss.

 

It was completely the opposite when St. Cloud punted the ball to Becker — as they needed just five plays to find the end zone and set the tone for the rest of the game. Beau Pauly took the stage when he rambled in from two yards out after Milan Kent, Alex Meidt and Gabe Dertinger ran the ball down the crusader’s throats.

 

Just like that, Becker had a 7-0 lead and they never looked back.

 

Later on in the first quarter, QB Andrew Stanger dropped back from his 15-yard line and found Jake Fobbe in the end zone for the team’s second score. It was the first of two for Fobbe on a night where seven different Bulldogs found the end zone.

 

The second quarter saw Becker score three times, including RB Alex Meidt from 42 yards out, Gabe Dertinger from 19 yards out and a second TD for Fobbe from 30 yards out.

At halftime, the Bulldogs were in complete control at 34-0.

 

In the third,  a St. Cloud fumble at their own seven yard line gave the Bulldogs another opportunity to score — in which they did when Kent juked and deked the defenders and crossed the goal line nearly untouched to give the visitors a 41-0 lead with 10:41 left in the third.

 

Just over one minute later and after St. Cloud failed to move the ball against Becker’s stalwart defense, Meidt took the ensuing punt at the Crusader 41 and cruised down the sidelines to paydirt to put what looked like the final stamp on a serious drubbing.

 

But not too fast.

 

Head Coach Dwight Lundeen emptied the bench, as his first-stringers merited, and just seconds into the fourth quarter, Mason Platz picked off Crusader QB Dan Hjort at the 36 and bolted for the end zone.

 

Becker 55, St. Cloud 0.

 

It was assumed it would be the final nail in the coffin.

 

But wait. 

 

Not just yet.

 

Bryce Boser was now the Becker QB and he delightfully guided his squad downfield when Becker got the ball back with 8:25 left in the game at the St. Cloud 25. Cale MacMillan lost two yards on first down, but Lucas Dertinger took the next handoff and gained a first down by rambling 12 yards to the Crusader 15. 

 

On the next play,  Dertinger ultimately scored the final TD of the game to give the ‘Dawgs their seventh win.

 

Stanger was efficient as usual behind center, completing eight passes for 93 yards and two TDs. At tailback, Gabe Dertinger gained 117 yards on nine carries and scored once. Meidt had 55 yards on two ground attempts and one TD.

 

Receiving, Fobbe was the star as he hauled in two catches — both for TDs — while gaining 42 yards.

 

Jaylin Hildebrandt had five tackles — including four assists — to lead Hokan Bengtson’s defense. Austin Rasmussen, Tanner Kiffmeyer, Dillon Radunz and Conzemius each had four tackles. Platz had the team’s only interception.

 

Lucas Dertinger was six-of-seven on extra point tries while Blake Angell was two-for-two.

 

Becker finished with 18 first downs compared to St. Cloud’s six.

 

The Bulldogs outgained the Crusaders on the ground, 238 yards to -10. Becker had 105 yards through the air while St. Cloud had 37. Becker’s total offense equaled 343 yards while St. Cloud’s equaled 27.

 

Becker’s next game is Thursday at home against Albany in the final regular season game of the year.