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Rough-and-tumble Tumbleson leads Mahtomedi to wild 50-40 victory

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 10/14/16, 11:15PM CDT

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Blocking back T.J. Tumbleson got into the rushing and scoring act with speedy Jalen Frye as the Zephyrs defeated Park of Cottage Grove.


Mahtomedi senior wide receiver Andy Voyen caught this second quarter 17 yard touchdown pass for the Zephyrs over the out stretched arms of Park of Cottage Grove CB Edmond Nkwain (#13) Photo by Brian W Nelson


T.J. Tumbleson

Mahtomedi’s T.J. Tumbleson stood with a huge grin on his face, relishing the Zephyrs’ wild 50-40 victory over Park of Cottage Grove on Friday.

He had spent much of the first half blocking for speedy halfback Jalen Frye, who ran for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns before halftime. When the Wolfpack started keying on Frye, it was the sledgehammer-like Tumbleson who kept pounding until they broke. Call him rough-and-Tumbleson.

“Man, I love games like that,” said the 5-9, 200-pound fullback, who added a touchdown and 214 yards of his own in the game, showing surprisingly agility for a player of his size. “I’ve got pretty quick feet. Got that from my dad. Needed it tonight.”

Behind the running of Tumbleson and Frye, who had more than 250 yards rushing behind Tumbleson’s crushing blocks, Mahtomedi rolled up 570 yards of total offense. The Zephyrs needed everyone to outpace the arm of quarterback Brandon Alt, who threw for 391 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score for Park (5-2). Together, the teams combined for more than 1,100 yards of total offense.

“We knew they could move the ball,” Mahtomedi coach Dave Muetzel said. “That quarterback is really good.”

Mahtomedi (7-0) rolled out to a 34-19 halftime lead and managed to maintain at least a 10-point lead in the second half despite fumbling three times. The Zephyrs defense came up big after two of the turnovers, forcing a safety and intercepting a pass on the ensuing plays.

“It was a victory,” said Muetzel, shaking his head. “That’s the part I’m concerned with.”

Jim Paulsen

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