By Jake Schroer
Crow River News Sports
The Knights used several big defensive plays to overcome a rough start and defeat the Rogers Royals 23-12 on the road in week three.
The Royals got a field goal in the opening quarter to open up a 3-0 lead on the Knights. Later in the quarter, Eli Solberg took a Griffin Marquette pass 56 yards the other way for a defensive score, but complications led to no PAT and a 9-0 lead.
STMA got momentum back in the second quarter. Mitchell Kartes halted a Royals drive with an interception and the Knights got a touchdown catch from Sam Bong to make the score 10-9, which held up at the half.
In the third, the Knights got another interception, but the Royals turned them away. Rogers executed some trickery, including a fake punt to extend a drive late in the third.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Royals kicked another field goal to take a 12-10 lead. Defense continued to dominate the game, as Rogers got yet another interception on a deep pass by Marquette.
A penalty put the Knights in their own territory, and the drive eventually came down to a fourth down play with 3:41 left. Marquette extended the play with his legs and fired a prayer downfield. Left alone, Braeden Levandowksi jumped up to get the ball and got down toward the goal line.
Emmanuel Akundu scored on a one-yard plunge to give the Knights their second lead of the game 16-12 (failed two point attempt).
Rogers drove down the field and got a defensive holding penalty to extend their drive on fourth down. Kartes struck for the second time shortly thereafter; this time he made it all the way to the endzone with a pick-six. The Knights led 23-12 with 2:21 left.
The Royals got a couple more chances, but STMA turned them over twice to seal the deal.
STMA managed just 45 rushing yards in the contest. Griffen Marquette threw three interceptions, but hit on some big passes when he had to do so. He finished with 120 passing yards.
Zach Gaulrapp and Nolan Schmitz each had an interception for the Knights.
Head coach Jared Essler said that the defense played a huge part in the contest.
“(I’m) really proud of our defense for hanging in there, because it was kind of tough sledding with our offense for a good chunk of the game,” Essler said.
Marquette said that he knew he had big shoes to fill after what the last two STMA quarterbacks accomplished.
“I knew it was going to be tough, but I’ve just been working hard doing the best I can,” Marquette said.
STMA’s record now stands at 3-0. The Knights travel to Elk River to tangle with the Elks Friday night.