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St. Thomas Academy romps past Hastings into 5A state tournament

By MADDIE DEBILZAN, Special to the Star Tribune, 11/02/18, 9:15PM CDT

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The Cadets, behind four first-half rushing touchdowns by senior Brendan McFadden, defeated Hastings 41-6 in the Section 3 title game.

Senior running back Brendan McFadden (2) scores St. Thomas Academy's first touchdown on an 11-yard run. McFadden led St. Thomas Academy to a 41-6 win over Hastings with 159 rushing yards and four first-half touchdowns. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Senior running back Brendan McFadden (2) scores St. Thomas Academy's first touchdown on an 11-yard run. McFadden led St. Thomas Academy to a 41-6 win over Hastings with 159 rushing yards and four first-half touchdowns. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine


Brendan McFadden

Five first-half touchdowns by brothers Brendan and Danny McFadden launched St. Thomas Academy to a 41-6 victory over Hastings on Friday in the Class 5A, Section 3 championship.

The Cadets (10-0) relied on a running game that produced quick moves down the field to put away the Raiders (8-2).

Senior running back Brendan McFadden got the Cadets rolling in the first quarter with rushing touchdowns of 9 and 11 yards.

The Raiders answered in the second quarter when senior Corbin Leflay scored on a 3-yard run.

Then it was the McFadden show again. Danny, a sophomore, ran for a 12-yard score. Brendan, a senior, reached the end zone two more times, on runs of 2 yards and 8 yards, before the first half was over.

Brendan McFadden had 139 rushing yards in the first half and 159 in the game, and he scored four touchdowns.

Co-offensive coordinator Luke Marks said the Cadets weren’t trying to cook up fancy plays. He credited fullback Jack Nozel, who scored on a 10-yard run in the third quarter, and the offensive line for their blocking.

“Brendan has shown he doesn’t try to do too much,” Marks said.

Brendan McFadden also noticed Nozel’s work, saying he "doesn’t get a lot of the credit, but he should.”

Leflay had 152 rushing yards for the Raiders.

Cadet receiver Gabe Sirek (84) is forced to the sideline by defender Ben Streeter (1). St. Thomas Academy earned a trip to the Class 5A state tournament with a 41-6 win over Hastings. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Cadet receiver Gabe Sirek (84) is forced to the sideline by defender Ben Streeter (1). St. Thomas Academy earned a trip to the Class 5A state tournament with a 41-6 win over Hastings. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Corbin Leflay (3) is brought down by Will Johnson (10) in Raiders' territory. Leflay tallied 152 rushing yards and scored Hastings' only points in the game. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Corbin Leflay (3) is brought down by Will Johnson (10) in Raiders' territory. Leflay tallied 152 rushing yards and scored Hastings' only points in the game. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

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