In order to make it to their third straight State Championship, the Faulkton Area Trojans would have to do something no one had done all season. Beat the St. Mary’s Cardinals. The Trojans were no stranger to taking down the team from Dell Rapids, they had done it just a season ago in the same branch of the bracket. Although this Cardinals team was playing with a chip on their shoulder and a new level of confidence, and it would prove to be one of the toughest tests of the year for Faulkton.
The game started under overcast skies and cold weather with a dominant scoring drive from Trimmier Hanson and St. Mary’s, with Hanson showing off his elite speed on a 42-yard touchdown run. The Cardinals converted the two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead, and after a Trojan 3 & out it seemed that St. Mary’s was in for another offensive rout. However, the Trojans defense had other plans, forcing a 3 & out of their own and forcing a short punt thanks to some heavy special teams pressure. The Trojans would take advantage of the good field position as Spencer Melius facilitated a drive that ended in a score from the 1-yard line. Melius would add tie it up following Tristen Baloun in for the two-point try.
The Cardinals regained the lead when Jaxen Baumberger found Logan Bauer from 13-yards out to make it 14-8.
St. Mary’s added another score with Hanson putting together a nice drive and scoring on a 13-yard scamper and converting on the two-pointer to make it 22-3.
With their backs against the wall, Melius led the Trojans down the field on an efficient drive running the ball with Landon Coyle and Baloun, as the Trojans ganged up for another scoring drive to cut it within six after Baloun backed in for the two-points.
With the score at 22-16, the Trojans were down to their final few snaps when Baumberger fumbled on a third and long in which Faulkton recovered, and found life again. With no timeouts, the Trojans drove into Cardinal territory and threatened to tie. But Jaxon Baumberger made up for the fumble with :37 seconds left with a game-sealing, state-sending interception.
The Cardinals will face off with Avon next Thursday in the DakotaDome at 11:00 AM CT.
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