Undefeated through three games this season, football players at long-suffering Park Center let success go to their heads.
Some focused on their statistics instead of the final score. Others pointed fingers at teammates for not doing their jobs. Not surprisingly, the team lost four consecutive games.
A victory last week, coupled with Tuesday’s 35-0 blowout victory against Fridley in the Class 4A, Section 6 quarterfinals, showed a renewed focus. The offense rushed for five touchdowns while a fleet-footed Pirates’ defense grounded Fridley ballcarriers right after takeoff.
“I feel like we’re back on our game,” junior Amani Hooker said. “We got back to playing as a team rather than as individuals.”
No. 4 seed Park Center (5-4) won its first playoff game since 2006. The Pirates advance to play at 7 p.m. on Saturday at No. 1 seed DeLaSalle.
Tuesday’s result served as the dramatic opposite of last year’s playoff meeting, won 41-14 by Fridley.
Park Center grabbed a 7-0 first quarter lead on Ronde Berry’s short touchdown run. Meanwhile, the defense attacked the spread offense of No. 5 seed Fridley (3-6). Adam Buirge, Ty’shonan Brooks, Hooker and Terrance Howard all made plays in the Tigers’ backfield.
“We have a lot of fast guys who can come up and make plays,” Hooker said.
Speed also fueled a key special teams play. Facing fourth down, Park Center lined up to punt. The ball was snapped directly to Hooker and he weaved 73 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 halftime lead.
“The call was a punt but in the huddle Amani said, ‘No, I’m faking it,’ ” Buirge said. “I was glad to see him bring it to the house.”
Berry and Buirge ran the Pirates’ to a 21-0 lead in the third quarter. Berry rumbled 23 yards to the Tigers’ 9-yard line and Buirge capped the drive with a dash around left end.
The clinching play came from junior backup quarterback Karl Altenburg. Playing at times Tuesday in place of senior starter Lawrence Ogunti, Altenburg led the offense onto the field in the fourth quarter. When a pass play broke down, Altenburg took off for a 55-yard score and 28-0 lead.
“It was a surprise,” Hooker said. “He always talks about how his favorite player is [Johnny] Manziel. Every day he wants to get a touchdown run and today he got it.”
