High School Football: Moorhead speeds past Warriors to stay unbeaten

Brainerd quarteback Nathaniel Staehling is consoled on the sideline during play against Moorhead on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, at Jim Gotta Stadium. David Samson / The Forum

By Conrad Engstrom

November 05, 2020 at 8:58 PM

MOORHEAD — Trey Feeney proved why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the state Thursday, Nov. 5.

The Moorhead senior threw 21-for-31 for 264 yards and 7 touchdowns in the No. 3 ranked Spuds’ 48-0 win over the Warriors.

After Moorhead punted on its first drive, the Spuds scored touchdowns in their next six in the first half.

“After that first drive, I thought we came out and executed and played pretty solid,” Spuds head coach Kevin Feeney said. “I thought our protection and offensive line did an excellent job. We felt like there were some things we needed to improve on and I think we took a step forward.”

Jacqui Fitzpatrick caught a 15-yard pass from Feeney to put Moorhead on the board.

After another Warriors punt, Feeney found Blake Walthall for his first of three first-half touchdowns to put the Spuds up 14-0.

Another Feeney touchdown pass to Conner Heinsch made it 21-0 before Brainerd even got a first down.

Senior Isaiah Windorski replaced Nathaniel Staheling at quarterback for Brainerd in the first quarter.

Windorski found Matt Huesmann for a 5-yard gain to give Brainerd its first first down in the second quarter.

“I was really happy with Windorski — backup quarterback — he did some good things for us here and there,” Warriors head coach Jason Freed said. “He gets a lot of reps in practice. We make sure of that because you never know. He had good poise and didn’t rattle and he’s a good leader.”

The Warriors got into Spuds’ territory on that drive, but were forced to punt on fourth and 12 after a sack.

Moorhead, with the help of a pass interference call, scored again on a 2-yard pass to Brady Walthall.

Blake Walthall finished the half with two more touchdown catches from Feeney — each a minute apart. One was from 13 yards and the other from four yards.

In the first half, Feeney threw 16-of-26 for 206 yards and six touchdowns as the Spuds outgained the Warriors 218-44.

“I think (Trey) would be the first to tell you that his wideouts have been making a lot of plays after the catch,” Kevin Feeney said. “I think the game has slowed down enough for him that he can dissect what’s happening and try to get the balls in space.”

Freed still takes some positives away after a blowout loss.

“I think defensively we are getting better,” Freed said. “We need to continue to dial in on these crucial downs. This was a legit top of Class 5A team there’s no doubt about it. We just have to keep getting better.”

The Spuds received the ball to start the second half and Feeney threw his seventh touchdown of the game to Brady Walthall. The pass was originally intended for Blake Walthall but deflected off him to Brady Walthall for the 17-yard score to make it 48-0.

Blake Walthall led the Spuds in receiving with 126 yards on eight catches. Brady Walthall wasn’t far behind with seven catches for 69 yards.

“Those guys are playmakers,” Kevin Feeney said. “They excel when the ball is in their hands. Whether that’s a great route or getting to them quick and see what happens.”

Windorski completed 8-for-19 passes for 40 yards for Brainerd. Caden Schoeppner led the Warriors in rushing with 38 yards. Moorhead’s defense only allowed 79 yards of total offense.

“(Our defense) has been playing fantastic,” Kevin Feeney said. “They are an extremely fast and physical group. The big thing for us is we just have to keep getting guys to the football and good things seem to happen for us.”

Moorhead hosts Bemidji next week for the No. 1 seed in the Section 8-5A playoffs expected to start Tuesday, Nov. 17.

“We want to try and earn that home playoff all the way through,” Kevin Feeney said.

For Freed, he just wants his Warriors to play a complete game to end the regular season next Thursday against Sartell.

“I’m just looking for us to play a complete football game,” Freed said. “You have to let the chips fall where the chips fall, but we need to play a complete game in all three phases and eliminate some of those mistakes.”