Raiders rough up Ridgewater
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
WILLMAR - After a 6-0 start and a top ten national ranking, which was followed by two losses, The Central Lakes College football team found itself needing a win against Ridgewater Saturday to extend the season and advance to the MCAC tournament.
The Raiders answered the call with a 25-13 win.
A "high efficiency" air attack in addition to bottling up the nation's leading rusher, while forcing five turnovers was the solution.
Wide receiver Justin Novak caught 12 balls for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Mike Behleer completed 32 of 45 passes for 350 yards and four touchdowns.
"We played out best game in a month," Raider coach Greg Medeck said. "Offensively we moved the ball up and down the field mostly throwing it with a high efficiency. Justin Novak had a career day and Mike Beehler had his best day as a sophomore."
Justin Novak
"Defensively we contained the nation's leading rusher and we brought the 'Axe' home and hold a 2-0 lead in the history of the traveling trophy with Ridgewater."
CLC's Dusty Parker, Terrell Ayers and Lawson Starr had interceptions and the Raiders recorded three sacks and recovered two fumbles.
The win placed Central Lakes in a three-way tie for the Southern Division championship and a tie-breaking coin flip was held to determine who would advance to the playoffs.
The Raiders won the flip and will travel to Ely to avenge a late season loss to the Vermilion Ironmen.
"The has been a great season for us," Medeck said. "I am really proud to be in this position with such a great group of young men. The have earned it. Also you have to give a real hats off to our tremendous coaching staff that has worked so hard this year. We are very excited to be able to continue our season and try and redeem ourselves and earn a second consecutive championship game berth."
Central Lakes 0 12 6 7 - 25
Ridgewater 0 7 6 0 - 13
First quarter
Second quarter
CLC-Justin Novak 8 yard pass from Mike Beehler (kick failed)
CLC-Kevin Beehler 6 yard pass from M. Beehler (conversion failed)
Third quarter
CLC-Novak 15 yard pass from M. Beehler (failed conversion)
Fourth quarter
CLC-Novak 14 yard pass from M. Beehler (Castro kick)
Team statistics
Rushes-yards: CLC 29-98, Ridge 134
Pass comp-att-int-yards: CLC 32-45-1-350, Ridge 76
Total offense: CLC 448, Ridge 210
Individual statistics
Rushing: CLC-Alex Leach 6-49, Dennis Taute 14-33, Novak 1-11, Dusty Parker 1-4, M. Beehler 5-3, Brandon Julius 2- (-2)
Passing: CLC-M. Beehler 32-45-1-350
Receiving: CLC-Novak 12-217, K. Beehler 7-60, Tyler Kitzman 7-42, Dustin Kramer 3-13, Tim Phonvidone 1-7, Cameron Breckenridge 1-6, Julius 1-5
Division: CLC 3-1. Overall: 7-2. Next game: Central Lakes against Vermilion at Ely in MCAC semifinals Saturday.