Faribault Gets Cannon Trophy in Double OT Win over Northfield

The 250 fans admitted into tonight's game at Bruce Smith Field in Faribault were treated to a thrilling two overtime Falcons 30-28 win over the Northfield Raiders.  Along with the victory the Cannon Trophy comes back to Faribault.  The trophy has been part of the RIce County rivalry since 1938.

Following a scoreless first quarter Northfield scored on a 55 yard pass from senior quarterback Cole Stanchina to senior receiver Ethan Lanthier.  The extra point kick by junior Charlie Pratt was good for a 7-0 lead.

The Falcons could not capitalize on a couple of drives in the first half that started at the Northfield 45 and 44 yard line.  Following a Ian Ehlers interception Faribault started another drive at the Northfield 30 yard line and looked like they were going to come up empty again before 5'10 216 pound junior running back Elijah Hammonds scored from 16 yards out.  A attempted pass for a two point conversion was unsuccessful and the score was Northfield 7, Faribault 6 at the half.

Faribault scored with 5:05 to go in the game on a 21 yard pass from junior quarterback Hunter Nelson to junior receiver 6'3 AJ Worrall.  Junior Matthias Lenway ran in the two point conversion to put the Falcons up 14-7.

The Raiders moved down the field but were given new life on a third and very long when a pass interference was called on the Falcons with just under a minute to go in the game.  With 7.9 seconds to go Stanchina hit classmate Karsten Clay crossing the back of the end zone on a 17 yard strike.  Pratt's extra point kick was good to tie the game.

Faribault got the ball with just over 3 seconds to go in regulation and took a knee.  The Falcons won the coin toss and went on defense to start the overtime.

In overtime the teams get four cracks to score from the 10 yard line.

Senior running back Ethan Johnson scored on the second play of the overtime for Northfield on a 4 yard run.  Almost the exact same play Johnson ran in the two point conversion.

Faribault took over, on the first play the ball was hiked over Nelson's head all the way back to the 27 yard line.  On third down Nelson was able to find a wide open Worrall in the end zone.  Nelson threw a pass to Hammonds for the two point conversion to force the second overtime.

The Falcons started the second overtime with a 8 yard touchdown pass to junior Isaac Mata.  Nelson then scrambled to his left looking to throw for the two point conversion, avoided a tackler and dove into the end zone for the conversion making it Faribault 30, Northfield 22.

The Raiders scored on a 11 yard jump ball thrown to Lanthier but an attempted fade to Lanthier in the corner of the end zone was unsuccessful.  Lanthier caught the ball but was out of bounds and Faribault had a 30-28 win to start their season.

The final statistics were as close as the score with both teams amassing 247 total yards in the game.  Faribault ran 59 plays, Northfield 57 plays.

The Raiders had 220 yards through the air compared to the Falcons 104.  Faribault had 143 yards rushing, Northfield 27 total rushing yards.

Time of possession in the game was 24:10 for Faribault, 23:42 for Northfield.

Both teams had 15 first downs.

Stanchina was 14 of 30 for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns.  He was intercepted by Ian Ehlers and Isaac Mata.  Sophomore running back Charlie Monaghan led the Raiders with 28 yards rushing on 9 carries.  Stanchina hit six different receivers in the game.

Senior Kip Schetan had 6 catches for 69 yards.  Lanthier 4 receptions for 100 yards and two scores.

Hammonds led the Falcons ground attack with 88 yards on 16 carries.  Worrall tallied 6 receptions for 78 yards.

Nelson was 11 of 24 for 104 yards and three scores.

Defensively John Palmer led Faribault with 5.5 total tackles, 5 solo including two sacks.  Sophomore Ian Ehlers finished with 5 tackles, 4 solo and a interception.  Senior Owen Ellendson goes both ways and finished with 5 tackles, 4 solo with a sack.  Nick Ehlers was credited with 4.5 tackles and a sack.

Northfield was led by senior linebacker Isak Johnson with 5 solo tackles.  Sophomore linebacker Gabe Sawyer had 4.5 tackles.

The Malecha's Auto Body players of the game for Faribault were Palmer, Hammonds and Ellendson.

Northfield hosts New Prague next Friday while Faribault goes to Kasson-Mantorville.