Senior halfback C.J. Schwintek had 20 carries for 132 yards and four touchdowns and Michael Veldman completed 13 of 22 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown to lead the Class 4A fourth-ranked Bulldogs to another easy win in their final regular season game of the year, 35-10 over Little Falls.
Becker (7-0 Granite Ridge, 7-1 overall) outgained Little Falls (4-3, 5-3) 408-138 in total offense.
Junior Alex Meidt had two interceptions and senior Dawson Brown added an interception for Becker as the defense continued its dominance giving up an average of just 11 points a game all season long.
Senior Michael Orr had 15 carries for 71 yards for Little Falls.
It took Becker, Veldman and Schwintek a little less than three minutes to drive 57 yards for the team’s first score with Schwintek running it in from five yards out. The extra point was good and Becker led 7-0 at the 9:19 mark of the first quarter.
After a quick three-and-out from Little Falls, Becker again used around three minutes to navigate 44 yards with Veldman finding Eric Blomgren from 16 yards out to put Becker up by 13. The extra point was good again and with 6:03 left in the first quarter, the visitors had a two-score lead.
After the ensuing kickoff and another three-and-out, Becker had the ball at their own 19 yard line with 81 yards ahead of them. The Bulldogs failed to gain a first down and had to punt the ball away, and Little Falls did the same as both teams jockeyed for better field position.
Sixteen plays and six minutes later, Schwintek got Becker’s third TD and his second on a one-yard plunge to put Becker up 21-0 early in the second quarter.
At the four minute mark of the second quarter, Little Falls had driven to the Becker 18 yard line but the offense stalled and the Flyers attempted a 28-yard field goal to get on the board. The kick was blocked and Becker was able to keep the goose egg on the board as the half ended.
Little Falls received the second half kickoff and their returner brought the ball all the way to their own 45 to set the home team up with great field position, down three scores. They eventually drove to Becker’s 21 and attempted another field goal — which again was blocked — but they got another chance to convert when the defense was called for offsides. This time, Little Falls’ Thomas Bell knocked the ball through the uprights to get the Flyers on the board at 21-3.
Becker used just nine plays to drive the field and Schwintek gained 25 yards on the march, finishing it off with his third TD of the game from six yards out.
Schwintek would later score from 17 yards out late in the fourth quarter to put the Bulldogs ahead, 35-3.
The only touchdown the Becker defense gave up was with 48 seconds to go and the game well out of reach. Nick Maslowski carried the ball into the end zone from two yards out to cap the scoring on the night.
Schwintek finished with four TDs on 20 carries for 132 yards. Meidt had eight carries for 57 yards, Rassmussen 4-16, Milan Kent 3-13, Taylor Dawson 2-11, Hayden Fassler 1-6, Cale Macmillan 1-3, Veldman 3-(-11).
Little Falls’ Orr had 15 carries for 71 yards, Maslowski 8-12, Braden Backowski 5-7, Thomas Miller 4-(-1) and Austin Fenske 1-(-9).
Veldman had a nother spectacular night, completing 13 passes on 22 attempts for 154 yards and one TD. Little Falls’ Braden Backowski was three for 14 for 54 yards and two interceptions.
Becker’s Beau Pauly had three catches for 70 yards, Blomgren 4-48 and one TD, Brown 3-35, Matt Conzemius 3-19 and Stanger 1-9. Little Falls’ Kyle Kabunuk was 1-28, Bryce Zawatzke 1-23, Wyatt Nelson 2-4 and Josh DeCann 1-3.
On defense, Hildebrandt led the Bulldogs with seven tackles and Meidt had four tackles and two interceptions. Brown finished with three tackles and one interception. Kent had two sacks.
Up Next
Becker will host their first Section 5AAAA playoff game next Saturday, Oct. 25 at Eppard Field at 3 p.m. (Opponent will be winner of Big Lake vs. Delano). If Becker wins, they play another home game Halloween night at 7 p.m. (Opponent TBD).
