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In battle of unbeatens, St. Croix Lutheran knocks off Fridley

By Ellis L. Williams, Star Tribune, 09/30/16, 9:15PM CDT

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The Crusaders, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, emerged with a 41-6 victory over the fourth-ranked Tigers in Class 4A.


St. Croix Lutheran quarterback Isaac Tietz (13) scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half of the Cruaders' 41-6 victory over Fridley on Friday night. Photo by Trevor Rodriguez, SportsEngine


Isaac Tietz

Something had to give when undefeated division foes St. Croix Lutheran and Fridley met for sole possession of first place.

St. Croix Lutheran, averaging 48 points per game coming into its homecoming contest, met a Tigers defense that had allowed only 19 all season.

By the time it ended, the Crusaders, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, had amassed nearly 300 yards of rushing. Senior quarterback Isaac Tietz rushed for five touchdowns and 98 yards in St. Croix Lutheran’s 41-6 victory over the Tigers, ranked fourth in Class 4A.

“We knew before the season started that Fridley was going to be a good football team,” Crusaders coach Carl Lemke said. “This was our focus when the season started, and the kids showed that their focus paid off.”

The Crusaders (5-0) exacted revenge for a 40-21 loss to Fridley last season, starting the game by scoring 21 points before the Tigers scored their only touchdown in the second quarter. Then Tietz added three more touchdowns.

St. Croix Lutheran also found a way to contain Tigers leading rusher Prince Okolie, limiting the senior to 21 rushing yards.

Fridley quarterback Noah Couwenhoven didn’t have it any easier, as he was sacked four times and intercepted twice.

Ellis L. Williams

First report

St. Croix Lutheran, the No.1-ranked team in Class 3A, defeated previously unbeaten Fridley 41-6 on Friday in a Twin City Maroon subdistrict game. 

Crusaders quarterback Isaac Tietz rushed for five touchdowns, including three in the second half. St. Croix Lutheran's defense sacked Tigers quarterback Noah Couwenhoven four times.

Fridley (4-1) and ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, was bottled up by the Crusader defense. Senior running back Prince Okolie, who rushed for 251 yards in last year's matchup with the Crusaders, only totaled 21 yards on the ground. 

In St. Croix Lutheran's homecoming, the Crusaders (5-0) led 21-6 at halftime and never let the Tigers get back in the game.  

Check back later for more on the game.

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