In Big Lake’s season opener last Friday, the Rocori Spartans rolled over the Hornets at home in a game Big Lake dominated after the first quarter.
Rocori is the defending Class AAAA state champs from a year ago and Big Lake kept them on their toes.
By the end of the game, Big Lake had amassed over 230 yards to Rocori’s 155. They ran nearly 20 plays more and doubled Rocori’s first downs 16-8.
The first quarter is what doomed the Hornets as Rocori scored twice and converted both 2-point conversions to go up 16-0. From there, the Hornets played the Spartans even, but just couldn’t get the big play or plays to turn the game around.
Hornet QB Brandon Stern was steady behind center, completing five passes in 14 attempts for 88 yards. He scored the lone TD for Big Lake on a run in the third quarter to make the score 16-8.
The Spartans enjoyed their early lead when Tucker Haakonson reeled in a 41-yard toss from QB Camdyn Bauer early in the first. Bauer ran in the two point conversion to make it an 8-0 Rocori lead.
After the Spartans were forced to punt on their next drive, Big Lake muffed the punt return and senior Luke Humbert recovered the ball at the Hornets’ 17-yard line. Senior running back Brady Linn punched in a difficult 10-yard touchdown run only a few plays later, and Bauer found Haakonson for a pass on the two point conversion to lead 16-0 in the opening nine minutes.
Bauer threw an interception on the opening drive of the third quarter, and Big Lake responded with a seven-minute drive on all rushes. Stern capped the drive when he ran in a two-yard touchdown and added a two point conversion to make it a one-score game with 4:42 left in the third quarter.
Humbert had a long kick return the following play, and Bauer clinched the game after sweeping out right and breaking free for a 38-yard touchdown run only a minute after Big Lake’s score. A pass to Humbert for the two point conversion made it a 24-8 lead.
Despite the solid play by the Hornets — especially on defense — the game, set and match went to Rocori in the two-score win.
Rieley Mullen was the workhorse at RB, tallying 60 yards on 17 carries on the ground. Jack Iverson had two catches for 23 yards including one for 12.
On defense, Mullen led the team with three tackles, two assists and two tackles for loss. Ty Williamson had one tackle and eight assists.
Isaac Milberger had one interception.
Up Next
The Hornets headed to Hutchinson Thursday for a 7 p.m. game (full report on game will appear in next week’s Patriot).
The following week (Oct. 23), the Hornets travel to Becker to take on the Bulldogs.
