Prep Football: Perham outlasts Pequot Lakes in Section 8AAA Finals

Jordan Hein punched in from one-yard out with 4:04 left in the first half to give Perham the points they needed to slip past Pequot Lakes 10-3 during the Section 8AAA final Thursday night at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND.

The defending section champion Patriots suffered devastating blow during their game-opening drive when starting quarterback Nolan Michaelson was injured on the fourth play of the possession and didn’t return into the game. Pequot Lakes did managed to cap the drive with a 28-yard field goal from Conner Leagjeld for the 3-0 lead.

The No. 1 seeded Yellowjackets answered on the ensuing kickoff and drove 50 yards downfield. They capped the 12-play drive with a 29-yard field goal from Jesse Hein to tie the game with under a minute remaining in the opening quarter.

Perham fumbled away a scoring chance at the Patriot 38 yard line on their second possession, but the Yellowjackets defense rose up to stop Pequot Lakes on a key fourth and one from the ‘Jacket 20 yard line. Perham defender Jesse Wundrlich stuffed Patriot running back Logan Lange behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of four-yards.

The ‘Jackets took over at their 25-yard line and drove downfield for the eventual game-winning score. Mike Wiskow highlighted the drive with a pair of long runs—including a 23-yard run that gave the ‘Jackets a first down at the Patriots’ two-yard line. Two plays later, Hein punched in for the lone touchdown of the game.

Pequot Lakes threatened twice in the second half, but the ‘Jackets’ defense secured the victory by picking off the Patriots’ backup quarterback tandem of Jordan Redmond and Nevin Greer in the end zone. The Patriots had four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) in the loss.

Hein completed four passes for 33 yards and was the ‘Jackets’ leading rusher with 77 yards on 22 carries. Wiskow rushed 11 times for 61 yards.

Lange led the Patriots’ ground game with 103 yards rushing on 23 touches.

Defensively, the ‘Jackets was led by Jesse Hein with 10 tackles. Garrett Biegler registered five tackles (three were for a loss of five yards), a forced fumble and two quarterback sacks. Gabe Pankonin had three tackles, a interception and fumble recovery.

Perham (8-3) will face the Section 5AAA winner (Rockford or Providence Academy) in the state quarterfinals at 5 p.m. next Saturday (November 12) in St. Cloud State University.

Section 8AAA Final
Perham vs. Pequot Lakes on November 3
Yellowjackets 10, Patriots 3
PL 3 0 0 0—0
PER 3 7 0 0—0
First Quarter
PL—Conner Leagjeld 28 FG 7:27
PER—Jesse Hein 29 FG 0:53
Second Quarter
PER—Jordan Hein 1 run (Jesse Hein kick) 4:04

BOXSCORE & GAME SUMMARY (Courtesy Ron Berns)