Posted: 11/3/04

Season comes to an end in Anoka

Joe Drennan
Sports Editor

The 2004 football season ended for the Forest Lake High School football team last Tuesday night with a 42-13 loss to Anoka in the section 7AAAAA playoffs.

Things looked good for the Rangers early when they gained possession on an Anoka turnover. The Rangers moved the ball down to the Anoka one yard line. The Anoka defense had an impressive goal line stand that prevented the Rangers from scoring and resulted in a turnover on downs.

On the ensuing Anoka drive, the Tornados went 99 yards for a touchdown. Anoka converted on the extra point attempt and the score was 7-0.

The Rangers were able to move the ball back into scoring position again, moving the ball within the Anoka ten yard line. Another goal line stand by the Tornados kept the Rangers out of the end zone.

After another turnover on downs, Anoka methodically moved the ball another 99 yards for another touchdown. Feeling greedy, the Tornados chose to go for the two point conversion which was no good and the score stood at 13-0.

ìWe needed to have things work for us early and we had opportunities but we didnít take advantage of it,î Rangers head coach Jim Herman said. ìIt was 13-0 at the half and we had the ball twice on the goal line. We get those two touchdowns and itís a different game.î

After the half, Anoka came out determined to add some more points to their score. Three consecutive touchdowns in the third quarter gave Anoka another 19 points, and a commanding 32-0 lead over the Rangers.

ìThe kids kept battling, but we werenít able to convert,î Herman said.

The Rangers got on the board in the fourth quarter when quarterback Dustin Kendrick ran the ball in from two yards out. Trying to gain some ground, the Rangers tried a two point conversion that was no good.

The Rangers added to their score when Adam Young broke free for a 13 yard run that resulted in a touchdown. Mark Mobergís extra point attempt was good.

Anoka bounced back with a 39 yard field goal, then 15 yard touchdown run that was capped off by a good extra point attempt, making the final score 42-13.

ìIt was a good ball game for the first half,î Herman said. ìAfter that itís a bit of a different story, but the kids continued to battle through to the end. If we would have been able to finish off in the red zone it would have helped, but that is something we struggled with all year.î

The loss to Anoka gave the Rangers a season record of 1-8, and has many players already looking to next year as they are eager to get people to forget about this season.

ìWeíll have a lot of people back next year that played a lot of minutes,î Herman said. ìExperience will be there, but that wonít mean anything if they donít work hard to improve themselves in the off season.î

Top of Page