High School Football: Pierz holds on to prevail over Cathedral

PIERZ — Michael Leidenfrost rushed 30 times for 153 yards and scored three touchdowns as Pierz defeated St. Cloud Cathedral 28-19 in the Section 6-3A quarterfinals Tuesday, Nov. 17.

The Pioneers and Crusaders were tied at seven at halftime as Noah Cekalla connected with Zach Jones on a 35-yard pass for the Pierz score.

It was all Leidenfrost in the second half as he scored on rushes of 15, 11 and 1 yards.

Cekalla completed six passes for 97 yards and Jeremy Beingesser hauled in two passes for 42 yards.

The Pioneers moved to 7-0 with the win.

Cathedral 7 0 0 12 - 19

Pierz 7 0 15 6 - 28

First quarter

P-Zach Jones 35 pass from Noah Cekalla (Jeremy Bingesser kick) 5:38

C-Max Henke 26 pass from Jack Pelzel (Joshua Minkkinen kick) 3:18

Third quarter

P-Michael Leidenfrost 15 run (Bingesser kick) 6:10

P-Leidenfrost 11 run (Leidenfrost run) 2:30

Fourth quarter

C-Henke 21 pass from Pelzel (conversion failed) 9:58

P-Leidenfrost 1 run (kick failed) 1:56

C-Caleb Leintz 21 pass from Pelzel (kick failed) :55

Team statistics

Rushes-yards: Prz 49-225, SCC 16-40

Pass comp-att-int-yds: Prz 6-15-1-97, SCC 18-25-0-213

Total offense: Prz 322, SCC 253

Individual leaders

Rushing: Prz-Michael Leidenfrost 30-153, Isaac Walcheski 11-48, Chandler Doucette 4-8, Noah Cekalla 1-10, Ben Virnig 2-6

Passing: Prz-Noah Cekalla 6-15-1-97; SCC-Pelzel 17-24-0-186, Caleb Leintz 1-1-0-27

Receiving: Prz-Zach Jones 1-35, Jeremy Bingesser 2-42, Walcheski 2-20; SCC-Max Henke 11-136

Overall: Prz 7-0. Next: No. 3 Minnewaska at No. 2 Pierz in Section 6-3A semifinal 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.