By Derek Simon

The 9th ranked Cadets from Saint Thomas invaded McNamara field Friday night to take on the hometown Raiders. The Cadets came into the game with a perfect 4-0 record, while the Raiders were on a three-game losing streak and had a record of 1-3. The teams had one common opponent on the season, Henry Sibley. The Raiders defeated Sibley 12-0 in week one, the Cadets defeated the Warriors 30-6 in week two.

Friday night was also Hastings last home game of the season and senior night. The program celebrated and thanked its senior class. Eighteen seniors were listed on the varsity roster: Jacob Sandquist, Logan McGrath, X.Vavier Duetsch, Joey Millner, Michael Gruwell, John Garcia, Joey Roche, Simon Hedin, Lucas Knoll, Cameron Olsen, Jaxon Schiller, Ben Teigland, Mathias Weiland, Jeremiah Schumacher, Ben McKinney, Jacob Wichern, Preston Kage, and Hunter Schauer.

The game started with Simon Hedin kicking off and putting the ball into the endzone for a touchback. One first down Lucas Knoll stopped the ball carrier for a loss of six yards. After that play, the Saint Thomas power running game took over and they march the ball down for a touchdown to give them a 7-0 lead.

The Raiders would get one first down on their first drive of the evening. Jacob Sandquist found Lucas Knoll out to their 40-yard line on a 15-yard completion. However, on third and long, Sandquist was hit and fumbled the ball. The Cadets would recover at the Raiders 36. Two plays later, the Raiders cause a Cadet fumble, and Colin Stewart recovered for the Raiders.

The Raiders would be forced to punt, and the John Chorlton punt was blocked by Saint Thomas. Chorlton may be the best punter in the conference, but he was not able to get the punt off in time. The Cadets would punch it in to take a 14-0 lead with 2:32 remaining in the first quarter.

After a Hastings punt, the Cadets took over at their 39-yard line. Saint Thomas would drive down the field and faced a 4th down and 3 yards at the Raiders 12-yard line. John Chorlton then broke through the line and tackled the ball carrier for a loss, ending the Cadets drive.

The Raider again would have to punt, and this time, the punt was partially blocked. The Cadets would take over at the Hastings 36-yard line. Again, the Raider defense would turn the Cadets away on 4th down. This time, on 4th and six at the 21-yard line, Brenden Frieiermuth broke through the line forcing an incomplete pass.

Hastings again could not move the ball and were forced to punt on a three and out. Again, the Cadets special teams made a big play blocking another punt, the 3rd of the first half. On the next play, they would score on a 29-yard touch down pass.

The Raiders again would need to punt the ball and it would again be blocked. The Cadets would start the drive at the Hastings 11-yard line. The Raiders defense again held and stopped the Cadets on fourth down. The Cadets lead 21-0 at halftime.

Hastings received the second half kickoff. On second and ten from their 28-yard line, Axel Arnold sophomore Johnny Bezdicek for a 72- yard touchdown to get the Raiders on the board. After a Simon Hedin extra point, the score was 21-7 with 10:32 re- maining in the 3rd quarter.

Saint Thomas would respond with a 62- yard touchdown run to extend their lead just over a minute after the Hastings touchdown. The Cadets running game started taking over the game and wearing down the Raiders defense that had played so well in the first half. Five minutes later, another Cadets rushing touchdown made the score 35-7 late in the 3rd quarter.

The Raiders had their best drive of the game starting the fourth quarter. The Raiders put together three straight first downs and had driven the ball to the Cadet 18-yard line. On fourth down and five, Arnold found sophomore Rico Cooper for an 18-yard touchdown. The Raiders closed the lead to 35-14.

The Raiders then got the ball right back when Simon Hedin had a great on sides kick that Lucas Knoll was able to recover it. The next play Axel Arnold found Payton Burow a connection of 22 yards to the Cadet 30-yard line. The next play, Axel Arnold ran the ball 30 yards to paydirt. Suddenly, the score was 35-21 with 8:42 left to play.

St. Thomas however was not phased by the Raiders, and they would close out the game with their power running game. After an unsuccessful on sides kick, they would drive for a touchdown. The Cadets would add another before the end of the game to win by a score of 49-21.

The Raiders had the ball for 58 plays in the game for 278 yards total. The Cadets had 59 plays for a total of 390 yards. The Raiders ran the ball 20times for just 51 yards. They were 17-38 for a season high 227 yards passing with two touchdowns. The Cadets ran the ball 49 times for 329 yards and were 5-10 passing for 61 yards.

Hastings individual stats were, passing: Axel Arnold 14-30 201 yards 2 touchdowns. Jacob Sandquist 3-8 for 26 yards. Rushing: Axel Arnold 9 carries 49 yards and a touchdown, Jacob Sandquist 3 carries for zero yards, Johnny Bezdicek 1 carry for 5 yards, Joey Millner 1 carry for 3 yards, and Payton Burow 6 carries for a negative 6 yards. Receiving: Rico Cooper 3 catches for 46 yards and a touchdown, Johnny Bezdicek 1 catch for 72 yards and a touchdown, Thomas Reifenberger 2 catches for 19 yards, Joey Millner 7 catches for 45 yards, Payton Burow 1 catch for 22 yards, Lucas Knoll 2 catches for 18 yards, and Thomas Kleis 1 catch for 5 yards.

The Raiders travel to Simley, to face the Spartans on Thursday night for the final game of the regular season. Game time is 7:00pm. The Spartans are 3-2 on the season but were upset Friday night by Sibley 21-20.

#6 Rico Cooper fights his way to the endzone on a 17-yard pass from #7 Axel Arnold. #54 Ben Teigland works to catch up and throw any needed additional blocks. Photo by Bruce Karnick