Kale Hoselton of St. Michael-Albertville ran for the end zone after intercepting a pass en route to a 50-yard touchdown. Photo: CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com
The play that St. Michael-Albertville’s Kale Hoselton made to tip the game in the Knights’ favor in their 27-6 victory over Maple Grove on Thursday was a perfect demonstration of why coaches love seniors.
The Knights were clinging to a 7-6 lead early in the fourth quarter. The game was moving along in fits and spurts. The next big play would likely give the team that made it a decided edge.
Hoselton, a 6-4 senior safety, made that play. Positioned in the right spot, he snatched a tipped pass in the air at top speed, then raced down the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown and a 13-6 lead. The Knights celebrated, the Crimson sagged.
“I always know, no matter how late in the game it is, that I’ll have an opportunity to make a play,” Hoselton said. “I was in the right place at the right time. I like to read the quarterback’s eyes and that’s what led me there.”
Hoselton’s play was no surprise to St. Michael-Albertville coach Jared Essler, who’s witnessed Hoselton’s talents often.
Three fourth-quarter touchdowns broke open a close game and lifted St. Michael-Albertville to a 27-6 victory over Maple Grove.
Leading 7-6, the Knights' safety Kale Haselton picked off a tipped pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. Kolby Gartner scooted 50 yards for a score a few minutes later and Davis Moseng capped the scoring spree by bringing back an interception 21 yards for a touchdown.
The Knights had taken a first-half lead Thursday on a 7-yard scoring run by Ty Songstad in the second quarter.
Maple Grove closed to within a point, 7-6, on a 67-yard scoring pass from Nate Elmes to Owen Overlie soon after. But that was all the offense the Crimson could muster.
Check back later for more on the game.