Quantcast
skip navigation

STMA can't top Rogers

By Amelia Rayno, Star Tribune, 09/16/11, 9:19PM CDT

Share

Royals stay one step ahead of Knights in 35-21 victory


Rogers running back Jack McGuire scored a first half touchdown as St. Michael-Albertville Nick Edling defended. /Bruce Bisping, Star Tribune

 St. Michael-Albertville and Rogers have developed a spirited rivalry in recent years, but last season it became a lopsided one — with Rogers shutting out STMA twice by scores of 32-0 and 41-0.

Friday, the competition looked alive and thriving again, even though Rogers came out on the winning side once more, staying a step ahead of the Knights most of the game.

With six minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Royals leading by a touchdown, Rogers marched down the field in probably its most methodical drive of the game. Thirteen plays culminated in an 11-yard scoring run by Mitch O’Neil to put the Royals out of reach and ensure the 35-21 victory for the visitors.

Jack McGuire led the Royals with 16 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was a hard-fought game,” coach Marc Franz said. “I just love how the kids responded to the challenge. I loved their mindset, all game long.”

The Knights got on the board first, scoring a touchdown with a minute and a half left in the first quarter with Ben Zahler grabbing an 8-yard reception from quarterback Cole Krutzig. But the Royals responded with back-to-back scores that took just two plays each. Thirty seconds after the Knights’ TD, Rogers’ Jack McGuire ran 58 yards into the end zone for the equalizer on the second play of the series. On STMA’s first possession of the second quarter, Parker Veith intercepted a pass intended for Zahler and took it 37 yards to the 5-yard line, and on the next play McGuire scored again.

McGuire said he’s still just living on the high of being the starting running back — something he’s been waiting for since ninth grade. After netting his first touchdown last week against Monticello, he felt more than comfortable.

“It felt really good to break one,” he said. “I love these games. When there’s more pressure, it makes you want to work twice as hard.”

STMA drew within a touchdown in the fourth after Michael Munson recovered a Rogers fumble.

“They never will go away, because they’re that solid of a program,” Franz said. “The kids know they will always be playing a four-quarter game with them.”

Weber still physical after position switch

Running straight into a wall of linemen doesn’t bother Rogers quarterback Matt Weber one bit – in fact, he sometimes forgets that there’s another way to do things.


After switching from outside linebacker to starting quarterback this season, Weber might occasionally have mental hiccups – but they’re the ones his coach likes for him to have. The senior has been key in pushing the Royals to a 3-0 start, and capped his early success behind center with a one-yard touchdown run in a 35-21 win over St. Michael-Albertville on Friday.

“It’s definitely a change,” said Weber. “I like the pressure. It’s just fun leading the guys.”

Times like Friday, when Weber led the team by successfully pushing through a wall at the end zone, really pay off.

Other times, coach Marc Franz, says, he has to call Weber off a little bit.

“Matt just loves to play football Franz said with a chuckle. “When he has the option of going out of bounds or putting his shoulder out and taking someone on, he’s often taking someone on. We’re trying to teach him that sometimes it’s best to just go out of bounds.”

Said Weber: “I used to play fullback so I guess I’ve always just had that vibe to keep going and not run out of bounds . I just like the physical part of it.”

Weber has the size to do some damage. At 6-5, 210 pounds, he’s no pushover.

“I’m loving it,” Franz said. “He definitely brings a physical style to quarterback that we’re not used to.”

Related Stories