In what figured to be a competitive test for SMB, St. Croix Lutheran made it look easy in a run-away 50-14 victory on the Wolfpack’s home turf.

The Crusaders led from the beginning, starting with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Jonathan Liesener to receiver Garett Maag midway through the first quarter. 

Maag proved to be tough for the Wolfpack to cover, using his height to beat SMB’s secondary for impressive catches. After his first touchdown reception, Maag bullied a defender to complete a two-point conversion reception. Later in the contest, Maag caught a pretty Liesener pass in the corner of the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown. 

SMB quarterback Jalen Suggs, one of the top basketball recruits in the class of 2020, flashed his athleticism and potential in the loss. Suggs created a few opportunities with his legs and threw two touchdown passes to tight end Javonni Bickham. But he had a tough time evading the Crusaders’ pass rush and couldn’t find consistency passing the ball. 

St. Croix Lutheran’s offense also found success on the ground behind speedster Mike Stern and James Chernohorsky. Stern rushed for three touchdowns, including gains of 85 and 54 yards. Chernohorsky finished with two rushing touchdowns. 

SMB, a cooperative program including St. Paul Academy, Minnehaha Academy and Blake, plays its home games at Blake School in Hopkins.

Check back later for more on the game.