Posted: 10/10/07
Warriors hand tough Chatfield team 26-8 loss; run record to 6-0
 Cody Petersen picked up some big yards on this run during TRC football last Friday night against Chatfield. Petersen rushed 25 times for 112 yards and two TDs. Photo by Charlie Warner |
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
The Caledonia football team ran its record to 6-0 last Friday night with a 26-8 win over Chatfield in Caledonia. Although the score would suggest differently, the outcome of the contest was in doubt well into the third quarter.
The number-five state ranked Warriors came into the game with four blow-out wins, having out-scored their first five opponents 179-25. But the visiting Gophers played the CHS gridders very tough for three quarters.
The Warriors scored their only TD of the first half on a 30-yard scoring strike from Kody Moore to Andy Bauer. The extra point kick was wide, and the Homecoming crowd had a 6-0 lead.
The two teams spent the rest of the first half moving the ball up and down the field, but turnovers, 10 for the game between the two teams, stalled many a drive.
The Warriors made it 12-0 shortly after the second half got underway following a 53-yard punt return by Andy Bauer. Moore found Bauer open for their second TD connection of the night. The Warriors went for two following the touch, and Moore hit Zach Gran in the corner of the endzone to make the score 14-0.
The Gophers took the ensuing kickoff and marched down the field. They set up shop with a first and 10 from the Warriorsí 12 yard line. But the CHS defense stiffened. Two QB sacks, a stuffed sweep and three straight Chatfield penalties made it fourth and 30 from the 32 yardline. The Gophers were forced to punt, the punt went into the endzone, and the Warriors took over at the 20.
Caledonia marched right down the field on several long runs by Cody Petersen. The drive was highlighted by Petersenís first TD of the night from 15 yards out. The kick failed, and the Warriors took control of the game, leading 20-0, as the third period came to a close.
The Gophers mounted one more offensive threat in the fourth period, but a Caledonia interception turned the ball over to the Warriors.
Petersen scored his second TD of the night following the Gopher turnover. The extra point kick was no good, and the CHS lead was 26-0.
The Gophers were able to get on the scoreboard with less than a minute left in the game. A Chatfield defender picked up a Warrior fumble and raced 75 yards for the score. The Gophers went for two, which was successful. The Warriors ran out the clock for their sixth straight win, 26-8.
Petersen had a big night on the ground, rushing 25 times for 112 yards and two TDs. Gran added 31 yards on six carries, Moore had 17 yards on five carries, Pat Bolduan had two carries for five yards and Alex Schleich had one carry for three yards.
Moore had another good night throwing the pigskin. He connected on eight of 19 passes for 90 yards and two TDs. He was intercepted twice.
Mooreís favorite receiver was Bauer, who had four catches for 52 yards and two TDs. Kevin Voight had one catch for 17 yards, Gran had one catch for 12 yards, Bolduan had one catch for six yards and Isaac Fruechte had one catch for five yards.
Bauer had one punt return for 53 yards, and an apparent 60-yard return for a TD called back due to a holding penalty. Gran had three punt returns for 35 yards. Ryan Goetzinger had six punts for 214 yards.
Eddie Hodges led the defensive charge with one sack and one fumble recovery. Voight also had a QB sack, while Mitch Meiners, Troy Frank and Fruechte all had fumble recoveries. Bauer and Tyler Stemper had interceptions for the Warriors.
The Warriors had 168 yards on the ground and another 90 through the air, while the Gophers had 63 yards rushing and 66 yards passing. The Gophers coughed the ball up six times, while CHS had four turnovers.
The Warriors take on defending Class A state champion Rushford-Peterson on the road. R-P is 5-1, losing to a tough Southland team. The Warriors will face the Rebels in Adams the following Wednesday, Oct. 17. That game is moved up for the annual MEA vacation.
Caledonia Argus
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