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Spring Lake Park shuts down Irondale behind strong defensive performance

By Ben Grundhauser, SportsEngine, 10/16/20, 9:45PM CDT

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Kaleb Skelly recorded a pair of interceptions, helping the Panthers shut out the Knights to keep The Block, a prized rivalry trophy, on campus another year.

Spring Lake Park senior Kaleb Skelly breaks out to the sideline on a 40-plus yard interception return in the second half Friday night. Spring Lake Park shutout visiting Irondale 28-0. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

Spring Lake Park senior Kaleb Skelly breaks out to the sideline on a 40-plus yard interception return in the second half Friday night. Spring Lake Park shutout visiting Irondale 28-0. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

The Spring Lake Park defense swarms to the ball and brings down Irondale's Reuben King in the second half Friday. Spring Lake Park evened its record at 1-1 with a 28-0 shutout over rival Irondale. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

The Spring Lake Park defense swarms to the ball and brings down Irondale's Reuben King in the second half Friday. Spring Lake Park evened its record at 1-1 with a 28-0 shutout over rival Irondale. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

Spring Lake Park clashes with Irondale in a matchup for The Block every year, a rectangular trophy, with a handlebar across the top, that’s meant to sit horizontal when idle. The trophy symbolizes the rivalry between the Suburban Blue subdistrict teams, with “Spring Lake Football” stamped on one side and “Irondale Football” marked on the other.

The Block is staying with the Panthers for a third straight year, as a total team performance on defense led to Spring Lake Park shutting out Irondale 28-0 on Friday at Spring Lake Park High School. 

“A great game on defense — certainly improved on offense. I think from Week 1 to Week 2, with ball security, we made some improvements,” said Spring Lake Park coach John Stewart. 

The Panther defense stifled Irondale (1-1, 1-1) throughout the contest, with the Knights struggling to get the ball past midfield. Irondale quarterback Jack Zupfer, despite completing 14 passes for 142 yards, threw three interceptions — two of them to Kaleb Skilly. 

Skilly, a 6-foot-4 senior, plays both sides of the ball for Spring Lake Park (1-1, 1-1). In addition to his interceptions, he caught two passes on offense to record 36 yards receiving.

First Report

Spring Lake Park dominated defensively on Friday Night, leading to a 28-0 Suburban Blue subdistrict win over Irondale at Spring Lake Park High School. 

Spring Lake Park (1-1, 1-1) scored one rushing touchdown in each quarter and was in control for the entirety of this rivalry matchup.

Running back Henry Dennis ran for 68 yards and two TDs to lead the Panthers’ ground attack, while Kaleb Skelly, who plays wideout and safety, caught two passes on offense, recording 36 yards. Skelly also came down with two interceptions on defense. 

Quarterback Jack Zupfer completed 14-of-24 passes for 141 yards for the Knights (1-1, 1-1), who struggled to get past midfield all night. Irondale’s Gabe Kasper caught seven passes for a game-high 83 yards. 

With the win, the Panthers keep The Block, a rivalry trophy between Irondale and Spring Lake Park — schools that are located just four miles apart.

Spring Lake Park defensive back Tossy Johnson-Kelly and Irondale receiver CJ Ritchie fight for a ball in the flat during the fourth quarter. The pass fell incomplete. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

Spring Lake Park defensive back Tossy Johnson-Kelly and Irondale receiver CJ Ritchie fight for a ball in the flat during the fourth quarter. The pass fell incomplete. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

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