Through three games this season, Harding/Humboldt, ranked No. 9 in the Class 5A Associated Press poll, had outscored its opponents 134-12 and won with ease. It’s likely a weird feeling for Knighthawks coach Andre Creighton, who graduated from Harding in 2009 and is in his first season as the team’s head coach. 

“I never experienced this during my playing time,” Creighton said. “It’s so fun to be back and see these guys have this sort of success.” 

Facing a previously undefeated Minneapolis South (3-1) squad was certainly going to be the Knighthawks’ biggest test of the season. Things looked good early for Harding/Humboldt as the Knighthawks scored less than a minute into the game on an 85-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Jorge Irizarry to wide receiver Ai’John Douglas. 

The Tigers would respond with their offensive attack led by quarterback Carter Bursinger. He did it all for Minneapolis South, throwing for 79 yards, rushing for 63, scoring three total touchdowns and recovering a fumble while also kicking for the Tigers. 

Before halftime, the Harding/Humboldt big-play offense struck again when Jod’e Trice scampered 80 yards to tie up the game at 14.  

Despite the tied score, Creighton still felt some nerves with his team and addressed them during his halftime remarks. 

“I told everyone—players, coaches—that we needed to relax,” he said. “We hadn’t been in that situation this year. We knew this was going to be a test.” 

Early in the second half, the Knighthawks once again made a big play when they blocked South’s punt and brought it down to the Tiger three-yard line. Irizarry ran the ball into the end zone one play later and Harding/Humboldt was back in the lead once again. 

With the lead for the rest of the half, the Knighthawks relied on one of their leaders, Htoo. He became the bellcow of the offense and finished the game with 15 carries, 109 yards and a touchdown. 

“He’s everything you want in a running back,” Creighton said. “I knew we wanted to give him the ball and let him go to work.” 

Minneapolis South stuck with the powerful Knighthawks. The Tigers gave themselves a chance with the ball and just more than 2 minutes remaining in regulation. Minneapolis South got into Harding/Humboldt territory and attempted a 49-yard field goal. Bursinger’s kicked was blocked, clinching the win. 

“Last year they beat us on a field goal,” Creighton said. “This year, we denied them.” 

The win puts Humboldt/Harding at 4-0 and likely means the Knighthawks will stay or rise in the Class 5A rankings. It also gave the team a look at what a close victory looks like. 

“This is something that we needed going into sections,” Htoo said. “We had a lot of challenges in this game we hadn’t faced before.”