Prep Football: Class AAA State Quarterfinals: Klitzke, Providence Academy swat Yellowjackets 28-19

ST. CLOUD—Marshall Klitzke rushed for three touchdowns as Providence Academy used a big second quarter to beat Perham 28-19 in the Class AAA state quarterfinals Saturday at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud.

All of Klitzke’s touchdown runs came during the Lions’ 21-point outburst in the second quarter that erased Perham’s 6-0 first quarter lead.

Providence Academy fumbled the ball away at the ‘Jacket 39-yard line during their opening drive. It took the ‘Jackets less than four minutes to cash in on the miscue as Jordan Hein capped the 8-play, 61-yard drive with a 29-yard touchdown run.

After failing to convert on fourth and short in Perham territory on their ensuing possession, Providence Academy got a break when its defense rose up to stop the ‘Jackets deep in Lion terroritory.

Providence Academy defensive back Kellen Carney picked off Jordan Hein at the Lions’ four yard line and returned it 18 yards to the Lions’ 22. That sparked Providence Academy, which drove 78 yards downfield and Klitzke capped the 3:21 scoring drive with a one-yard plunge.

A ‘Jacket fumble and failure to convert on fourth and one led to two more Klitzke touchdown runs. The senior scored from five-yards out and then put the Lions ahead 21-6 on a three-yard run with 3:26 left in the first half.

Perham put together a 13-play, 81-yard drive that was capped on a two-yard touchdown run by Jordan Hein—his 19th rushing touchdown of the season, which broke the ‘Jackets’ single-season record held by Charlie Nelson in 1989. The conversion run failed, but kept Perham within striking distance, 21-12.

The ‘Jackets’ prevented the Lions from adding to their lead with 27 seconds left before halftime when Brady Sazama picked off Providence Academy quarterback Jackson Canfield at the Perham one-yard line.

Perham’s first drive of the second half resulted in a 40-yard touchdown run from Gabe Pankonin. Jesse Hein added the conversion kick to whittle the Lions lead down to two, 21-19.

According to Perham statistican Ron Berns, Jesse Hein became the ‘Jackets’ career leader in PAT kicks. It was the 43rd kick made by the senior, who broke the old record of 40 PATs set by Chris Ceynowa from 1987-88.

\The ‘Jackets had momentum on their side, and a chance to take the lead when Chris Ruther intercepted Canfield at the Lions’ 32 yard line. But penalties kept Perham from converting, and they were forced to punt.

Providence Academy then stole the momentum back from the ‘Jackets by going on a 80-yard drive, which was capped by Canfield’s game-clinching touchdown run from one-yard out. Klitzke highlighted the six-play scoring drive with a 55-yard run to the ‘Jacket 22.

Perham’s last fourth quarter possession ended on a Jordan Hein interception at the Lions 23-yard line with 6:41 left to play. Providence Academy then milked the remainder of the game clock to preserve the victory.

Klitzke finished with 229 yards rushing on 32 carries. He also had two catches for 26 yards. Canfield rushed 16 times for 66 yards and completed eight passes for 132 yards, but was intercepted twice.

Jordan Hein ended up setting a Perham single-season record with 2778 yards of total offense (1398 yards rushing and 1380 yards passing). The old record was 2618 yards by Ben Bucholz in 2009. For the game, the junior rushed 21 times for 106 yards and compteted 10 passes for another 87 yards. He also was intercepted twice in the loss.

Perham finishes the season with a 8-4 record.

Class AAA State Quarterfinals
Perham vs. Providence Academy on November 12
Lions 28, Yellowjackets 19
Providence Academy 0 21 7 0—28
Perham 6 6 7 0—19
First Quarter
PER—Jordan Hein 29 run (kick failed) 5:50
Second Quarter
PA—Marshall Klitzke 1 run (Sean Mostrom kick) 10:32
PA—Klitzke 5 run (Mostrom kick) 7:18
PA—Klitzke 3 run (Mostrom kick) 3:26
PER—Hein 2 run (run failed) 0:53
Third Quarter
PER—Gabe Pankonin 40 run (Jesse Hein kick) 7:09
PA—Jackson Canfield 1 run (Mostrom kick) 2:06

GAME SUMMARY & STATS (Courtesy Ron Berns)