Blaine's defensive unit came into Friday's homecoming game wary of Anoka's Ollie Nigh, a senior running back who amassed 132 yards and scored two touchdowns against the Bengals in 2015 on his way to a 1,000-yard season. 

Nigh already had 786 yards through the first four games this year coming into Friday's West Metro North Sub-District clash at Blaine.

“I think he's a little bit stronger than he was last year,” Anoka coach Jeff Buerkle said. “I think he sees the field a little bit better.”

Blaine (4-2) made sure that Nigh would mostly see white jerseys in a 14-6 victory over the Tornadoes (3-3). Nigh mustered 53 yards on 14 carries as the Bengals bottled him up frequently.

“We're all about swarming to the ball,” Bengals senior linebacker Ben Kytta said. “Everybody's going gap-sound, nobody's trying to be selfish and make plays themself.”

Defense carried the Bengals in the second half, as Blaine was shut out after scoring two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter. 

Junior quarterback Connor Melton scored on a 5-yard run followed by senior running back Chase Harper's 7-yard run. 

Nigh didn't doubt his team could fight back, though. He rushed for 17 yards on the Tornadoes' scoring drive at the start of the second half. It set up a 30-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jared Wilber to senior wide receiver Ryan Wesp.

“They're a good team [and] we're a good team,” Nigh said. “They had the better night.”

Nigh nonetheless has the Tornadoes in a better spot than they were in 41-0 loss to No. 1-ranked Class 6A Totino-Grace on Sept. 9. Since that matchup, Nigh had rushed for 653 yards and eight touchdowns in three-straight wins for the Tornadoes. He doesn't keep the 1,000-yard plateau on his radar though.

“My goal is to help my team win every week, and so I don't really take that into consideration,” Nigh said.

Other defenses need to, though. Nigh has 10 touchdowns this season and a 6.4-yards per carry average. He showed the ability to keep pounding the ball with 29- and 37-yard rushes in wins over Andover and Osseo.

“My offensive line is great,” Nigh said. “I consider them one of the best offensive lines in the state. They really help me out a lot.”

At 5-foot-7 and 180 pounds, Nigh can use his size to make players miss. His size won't draw NCAA Division I programs to his door, which doesn't matter since he also stars in lacrosse. Buerkle anticipates Nigh playing lacrosse instead of football at the next level.

“He's just a phenomenal lacrosse player, so he's getting a lot of [college] offers,” Buerkle said.

Nigh did quite well last spring for the Tornadoes lacrosse team in a run to the state tournament. He scored 36 goals and assisted on 15.

Wearing No. 22 for both sports, Nigh has his focus on football for now with two regular season games left. Moreover, he wants win back the paddle trophy from Champlin Park next week after its four-year stint with the Rebels.

“We're going to go back and prepare for Champlin and take it one week at a time,” Nigh said.

Another 1,000-yard season could come along, too.

Connor Melton and Chase Harper rushed for touchdowns as Blaine held off Anoka 14-6 on Friday at Blaine High School.

Melton, a junior quarterback, opened the scoring on a 5-yard run in the second quarter. Senior running back Harper followed with a 7-yard run with 2:08 left in the half as the Bengals took a 14-0 lead.

Anoka (3-3, 3-2) crept back in the second half. Tornadoes senior quarterback Jared Wilber hit senior wide receiver Ryan Wesp for a 30-yard TD.

Despite punting, turning the ball over on downs and throwing an interception, Blaine (4-2, 3-2) held on in the second half. Anoka dropped to 3-2 in the West Metro North Sub District with the loss.