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Rallying from 21-point deficit, Richfield scores 42 consecutive points in triumph over SMB

By Mike Randleman, SportsEngine, 11/12/20, 9:00PM CST

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Senior quarterback Ryan Miles completed five touchdown passes, guiding the Spartans past the Wolfpack in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Quarterback Ryan Miles (7) looks for a receiver while evading an SMB defender. Miles threw five touchdown passes in a 42-28 win at Richfield High School on Thursday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Quarterback Ryan Miles (7) looks for a receiver while evading an SMB defender. Miles threw five touchdown passes in a 42-28 win at Richfield High School on Thursday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Junior wide receiver Mitchell January (14) scored twice, helping the Spartans tally 42 unanswered points to come back from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Wolfpack. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Junior wide receiver Mitchell January (14) scored twice, helping the Spartans tally 42 unanswered points to come back from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Wolfpack. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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.

First Report

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.

Judah Thomas (20) pulls down an interception at the goal line in the final minutes of the game. Thomas led the Wolfpack's offense, completing three touchdown passes and a rushing TD to finish the game. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Judah Thomas (20) pulls down an interception at the goal line in the final minutes of the game. Thomas led the Wolfpack's offense, completing three touchdown passes and a rushing TD to finish the game. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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