Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley
The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal football team was shut out in the first half, but they used a big second half to get a homecoming win over Colman-Egan, 16-6, on Friday, September 13th.
The CE Hawks broke a scoreless tie early in the second quarter. On a 4th and 1 from the St Mary two-yard line, #11 scored on a quarterback keeper to give Colman-Egan a 6-0 lead. The Hawks were closing in on another touchdown with just :45 to play in the first half. Colman-Egan had a 1st and goal from the eight yard line. The first play went for seven yards to set up a second down from the one yard line. #75 made a tackle on #11 for no gain to make it third down. Colman-Egan tried a pass, but it fell incomplete at the back of the end zone. On fourth down the Hawks tried to pass again, and it was again incomplete as time expired on the half. The score remained 6-0, and that seemed to spark the momentum for the Cardinals.
St Mary started the third quarter with an onside kick, and #7 recovered giving the ball to the Cardinals. The Cardinals would score on fourth down after an 11-yard touchdown pass from #4 to Maverick LeBrun. #8 scored the two-point conversion to put St Mary ahead 8-6. On their next drive, Colman-Egan went for it on fourth down and completed a big pass play, but #8 forced a fumble on the tackle, and #17 recovered the ball for St Mary. The Cardinals were forced to punt on their next drive, but Colman-Egan fumbled to punt returned. #8 recovered the ball to give St Mary possession again. The Cardinals took advantage, and #8 scored on a four-yard touchdown run with 11:57 to play in the game. #4 scored the two-point conversion to give St Mary a 16-6 lead.
“I was very happy with the way the boys kept fighting and came back to clinch a very hard-fought victory. They never gave up and just kept coming,” said head coach Ross Flemmer.
St Mary finished with 225 yards of total offense, 133 rushing yards and 92 passing yards. Colman-Egan had 251 yards of offense, 82 rushing yards and 169 passing yards. L. LeBrun had 23 carries for 110 yards and a rushing touchdown. Hanson was 5-7 passing for 92 yards and a touchdown. M. LeBrun had three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. Hansen had a catch for 32 yards. Hansen led the defense with eight takcles. M. LeBrun had 6.5 tackles. L. LeBrun, Kade Lutt, and Carlo Pico all had 4.5 tackles each.
