State 9-player Quarterfinal Fertile Beltrami vs Cromwell Wright

Recap

Moorhead, MN — The Fertile-Beltrami Falcons are headed back to U.S. Bank Stadium for the fifth consecutive season after a commanding 40-14 win over the Cromwell-Wright Cardinals in the State 9-Man Football Quarterfinals.

Fertile-Beltrami set the tone early, taking the opening kickoff and grinding out a 78-yard drive that consumed nearly half of the first quarter. Gavin Aakhus capped it off with a six-yard touchdown run to make it 8-0. The Falcon defense followed with a strong stand, forcing a turnover on downs, and the offense capitalized as Caleb Sather bullied his way in from 13 yards out for a 16-0 lead. Cromwell-Wright responded immediately when Drew Nyberg returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 16-8. But Fertile-Beltrami answered right back, on the very next kickoff, when Creed Tollefson sprinted 91 yards to the house, restoring a 24-8 lead before the first quarter was over.

The Cardinals had chances to close the gap in the second quarter, including an interception in the end zone, but couldn’t capitalize and went into halftime trailing 24-8.

Cromwell-Wright opened the second half with a promising drive into Falcon territory, but Fertile-Beltrami’s defense delivered again as Steven Sather intercepted a pass to halt the threat. The Falcons wasted no time turning it into points—Aakhus found Bryer Strem for a 47-yard touchdown strike to make it 32-8. With the offense rolling, the Falcons’ defense continued to tighten up, forcing another punt. Fertile-Beltrami struck once more through the air, this time Aakhus connecting with Strem again for a 52-yard score to extend the lead to 40-8. Cromwell-Wright added a late rushing touchdown to make the final 40-14.

With the victory, Fertile-Beltrami improves to 8-3 and advances to the Minnesota State 9-Man Football Semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium for the fifth straight year. The Falcons will face Hills-Beaver Creek at 1 p.m. next Thursday—a rematch of last season’s State Championship, which Fertile-Beltrami won.

Fertile-Beltrami Falcons Stats

Rushing
Caleb Sather 19 carries 73 yards TD
Creed Tollefson 9 carries 52 yards (91 yard kickoff return TD)
Bryer Strem 8 carries 34 yards
Gavin Aakhus 4 carries 18 yards TD

Passing
Gavin Aakhus 6-8 180 yards 2 TD Int.

Receiving
Bryer Strem 4 catches 160 yards 2 TD
Creed Tollefson 1 catch 15 yards
Caleb Sather 1 catch 5 yards

Cromwell-Wright Cardinals Stats

Rushing
Drew Nyberg 17 carries 103 yardrs
Lane gervais 13 carries 76 yards TD

Passing
Drew Nyberg 2-7 13 yards Int.

Receiving
Carson Hill 1 catch 17 yards
Lane Gervais 1 catch -4 yards

comments from FB coach Brian Nelson