It seemed like January in November for Richfield, but temperatures in the low 20s and icy snow covering part of Richfield’s artificial turf didn’t stop the Spartans from mounting an aerial assault.
Senior quarterback Ryan Miles thinks his squad features one of the state’s best receiving corps. It’s headed by athletic junior Mitchell January, who caught two of Miles’ five touchdown passes in their team’s 42-28 comeback victory over SMB, a co-op of St. Paul Academy, Minnehaha Academy and Blake, on Thursday at Richfield High School.
SMB got three touchdown passes from junior quarterback Judah Thomas, who connected with three different receivers to give the Wolfpack 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. A repeat of SMB’s 48-0 defeat of Richfield a year ago looked possible, even if it was getting it done opposite the run-heavy style that produces over 200 rush yards per game.
Drops haunted Richfield (3-3, 2-3) in a 42-7 loss on Nov. 6 at Minneapolis Southwest and they were present again for the Spartans early against the Wolfpack.
A 42-0 run fueled Richfield to one of its biggest victories in years. Senior quarterback Ryan Miles completed five touchdown passes, helping Richfield erase a 21-0 deficit in a 42-28 triumph over SMB, a co-op of St. Paul Academy, Minnehaha Academy and Blake, at Richfield High School on Thursday night.
Despite temperatures in the low 20s, and an artificial turf field partially covered in snow, both clubs were committed to a passing attack in what was the regular-season finale for both schools.
SMB (3-3, 3-2) was more proficient with its passing game in the first half. The Wolfpack stormed out to a 21-0 lead, highlighted by a 79-yard TD pass from Judah Thomas to Sanjay Redd to make it 7-0 midway through the first quarter.
Richfield (3-3, 2-3) cut the deficit to 21-14 just before halftime with Tritian Zornes taking a 7-yard run into the end zone.
Miles connected with each of Mitchell January and Zornes twice for TDs during the Spartans’ 42-0 run.
Richfield took the lead for good with 3 minutes, 13 seconds left in the third quarter.
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