Jake Faber threw for four touchdowns and Max Strand came away with a huge momentum turning fourth quarter interception as the Central Lakes Raiders, ranked 18th nationally, defeated the 15th-ranked Rochester Yellowjackets 41-37 at Findorf Athletic Complex Saturday.
Faber threw touchdowns to three different Raiders receivers, including two to Steve Wroblewski. Athen Ashton rushed 14 times for 61 yards to pick up an injured Trey Blanchard, who finished with 64 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.
"It's a great program and this team has done great," Faber said. "The offense couldn't do anything without the coaches and all of us working together so I give credit to the whole unit. The offensive line did great and the receivers went up and got the ball."
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Raiders 41, Rochester 37
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- Key: Jake Faber threw for four touchdowns
- Overall: CLC 2-0
- Next: Central Lakes at Dakota College Noon Saturday
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The two teams combined for 845 yards of offense.
"It is always back and forth with these guys," said Raiders coach Greg Medeck. "Those are two talented football teams out there. We continue to battle and none of those teams are going to quit. The turnovers were big and we preach about that. We also had a fourth down stop at midfield that was crucial."
Things didn't look positive for CLC in the third quarter as Rochester's Nick Rooney completed his second touchdown pass of the day on a 35-yard strike to Patrick Bolton to give the Yellowjackets a 31-24 lead.
CLC responded by scoring the next 17 points to take a 41-31 advantage.
Strand's interception came early in the fourth quarter. Faber had just connected with Kieran Johnson on a 20-yard scoring pass to give the Raiders a 34-31 lead.
The Yellowjackets took the ball on their own 31. Strand stepped in front of a Rooney pass to allow CLC to start its next possession at Rochester's 31.
Eight plays later, Faber connected with Wroblewski for the second time on a 9-yard strike to give CLC a 41-31 lead.
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"At the beginning of the game the only thing that they were getting us on was tunnel screens," Strand explained. "We knew what was coming with trips out wide, and I saw him backing up for the screen. I had him covered and (quarterback) moved out of the pocket and threw it up and I was in position to get it."
Eleven minutes remained in the game. CLC's Josh Lanners intercepted a Rooney pass to stop one drive and the defense forced a three and out on another possession. Rochester finally put another touchdown on the board at the 3:25 mark to close the gap to 41-37. The Raiders then came away with a blocked extra point to keep the margin at four.
"It was so big because we know they have a talented kicker in Albuquerque," said Medeck. "With the lead at just four it was really valuable for us. We hoped it didn't get to that point of a field goal to tie the game later on, but I really didn't want it to get to that situation."
The Yellowjackets weren't able to get the ball back as Ashton converted on a second down rush to get a first down to run out the clock.
"We ran the ball in the fourth quarter and that has been tough to do against these guys," Medeck said. "With Trey out, Athen stepped up and really ran the ball well in those last few drives. Offense, defense, and special teams it was a complete team effort today."
Rochester 7 10 14 6 - 37
Central Lakes 3 14 10 14 - 41
First quarter
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CLC - Fafa Asante 27 field goal 13:50
RCTC - Nick Rooney 9 run (Ruan Albuquerque kick) 8:34
Second quarter
CLC - Beau Wilhelm 19 pass from Jake Faber (Asante kick) 9:23
RCTC - Albuquerque 44 field goal 4:41
CLC - Trey Blanchard 14 run (Asante kick) 1:45
RCTC - Patrick Bolton 73 pass from Rooney (Albuquerque kick) :40
Third quarter
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RCTC - Bolton 46 pass from Rooney (Albuquerque kick) 11:38
CLC - Steve Wroblewski 5 pass from Faber (Asante kick) 7:58
RCTC - Bolton 35 pass from Rooney (Albuquerque kick) 6:02
CLC - Asante 40 field goal 3:54
Fourth quarter
CLC - Kieran Johnson 20 pass from Faber (Asante kick) 13:42
CLC - Wroblewski 7 pass from Faber (Asante kick) 11:17
RCTC - Nate Moses 47 pass from Rooney (kick failed) 2:19
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Team statistics
Rushes-yards: RCTC 28-80, CLC 44-170
Pass comp-att-int-yds: RCTC 19-40-3-362, CLC 19-42-2-233
Total offense: RCTC 442, CLC 403
Individual leaders
Rushing: RCTC Virgil Hammond 21-67, Nick Rooney 6-14; CLC Trey Blanchard 12-64, Athen Ashton 14-61, Jake Faber 13-43, Anthony Valladares 1-6
Passing: RCTC Nick Rooney 19-40-3-362; CLC Jake Faber 19-41-2-233, Sam Moriarty 0-1-0-0
Receiving: RCTC Patrick Bolton 6-184, Camren Dearing 3-61, Nate Moses 1-47, Marley Allison 5-24, Tanner Menke 2-24, Archie Briggs 2-22; CLC Beau Wilhelm 4-77, Kieran Johnson 3-45, Trey Blanchard 2-34, Sam Moriarty 5-28, Steve Wroblewski 3-27, Elias Arlington
