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Northfield finds Big Nine football to be a winner

By Ron Haggstrom, Star Tribune, 09/30/14, 5:47PM CDT

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Northfield football coach Bubba Sullivan is enjoying the school’s only season in the Big Nine Conference.

Northfield football coach Bubba Sullivan is enjoying the school’s only season in the Big Nine Conference.

The Raiders are 4-1, most recently knocking off Mankato East 31-7 in their homecoming game. Their only setback came at the hands of Class 5A, No. 1 Mankato West.

“There has been some new excitement this year as we face new opponents who we are not that familiar with,” Sullivan said. The Raiders left the defunct Missota for the Big Nine before the 2014-15 school year. Next year high school football conferences give way to district scheduling.

In their four victories, the Raiders have only allowed 27 points. They gave up 62 in their loss.

“Our defense is our strong suit, but we are athletic enough on offense to put up points,” Sullivan said.

The success of the defensive unit revolves around their three linebackers. Junior Caleb Malek leads the team in tackles while senior Colin Shepley finished first in that category a year ago and Quinten McGregor finished second.

On offense, the Raiders like to look for their tall wide receiving corps. They are seniors Joey Eckhoff (6-1) and tight end Billy Roecklin (6-5) and junior split end Luke Harris (6-8).

Sullivan also has three senior linemen who start on both sides of the ball. They are Paul Hummel, Justin Raines and Adam Rodgers.

“We are a senior-dominated club,” Sullivan said. “We are having a very nice season so far.”

Back in the saddle

Ed Loiselle is back behind the bench.

The former Shakopee boys’ hockey coach will return to the position he previously held for 16 years. He replaces Lee Engstrom, who resigned this past summer.

Loiselle stepped down as the Sabers’ mentor five years ago to spend time more time with his family and coach his own children. He continued to work closely with Shakopee’s youth hockey association.

The Sabers will be making the transition from the Missota to the South Suburban Conference this year.

Top performances

• Rosemount senior quarterback Jackson Erdmann completed 13 of 17 passes for 232 yards and five touchdowns — all in the first half — to lead the Class 6A, No. 2 Irish to a 76-7 victory over Farmington in a South Suburban Conference football matchup. Erdmann has thrown for more than 1,000 yard for the unbeaten Irish (5-0).

• Jordan senior running back Andrew Fogarty rushed for 260 yards on 26 carries and three touchdowns as the Hubmen topped Mayer Lutheran 39-24 in a Minnesota River Conference football tilt. His 60-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter sealed the victory.

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