Headed back to state

Some might say the Bluejays football team ran out of feet to shoot during their tenth consecutive Section 3AAA Championship game Friday night in New Ulm.

 

Others might call it one of the craziest games of their careers.

 

What allowed the Bluejays to punch their tickets back to the state tournament? 

 

A perfect 10 minutes.

 

The script was written for fans watching the 28-24 win over TCU which left spectators asking themselves, “Comeback or collapse?” 

 

“We had special teams mistakes that were hard to take,” Waseca head coach Brad Wendland said after the game. “The momentum in the third quarter and early fourth quarter was so heavily in favor of TCU. For the kids to persevere and believe in each other… You gotta love high school football.

 

“I am kind of in awe of the kids.” 

 

After more than three quarters of turnover, mistake-ridden football, here is how the Bluejays saved their season. 

 

Trailing 24-14 the Bluejays methodically moved the ball downfield, punching it in from three yards out on Kellen Klinger’s third rushing touchdown of the day from two yards out, with six minutes remaining. The drive capped off a long four-minute drive. 

 

Next, the Bluejays had to get the ball back. 

 

They did.

 

With their backs against the walls, literally and figuratively and under two minutes to play, Waseca stuffed the Titan run on a 4th and 1 from inside the red-zone. 

 

Finally, the Bluejays needed to march the length of the field with no timeouts. 

 

They did. 

 

This time taking the lead for good.

 

Junior Samuel Selthun scored the go-ahead 3-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining.

 

“When it was time to win the game, they connected and made plays,” coach Wendland said. “It was an incredible night of high school football. I am really proud of this group.”

 

With the win, the Bluejays earned their school’s seventh trip to the state tournament. 

 

“Our goal doesn’t change,” coach Wendland shared. “We practice and prepare to be one of the best 3AAA teams in the state and that’s our mission statement that we show to the kids on the first day of fall practice. And it’s what we show at the banquet at the end of the year. The goal doesn’t change.”

 

Seeded first in the south, the Bluejays hope to avenge last year’s season-ending defeat in the title game. They play Zumbrota-Mazzepa Saturday at noon in Apple Valley.