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Late rally powers STMA past visiting Champlin Park

By Trevor Squire, SportsEngine, 09/15/17, 10:30AM CDT

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Mitchell Kartes' 60-yard interception return for a TD in the fourth quarter helped the Knights remain undefeated.


St. Michael-Albertville's Mitchell Kartes eludes a Champlin Park defender, on his way to his fourth touchdown of the game. Kartes had three rushing touchdowns and a pick six. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine


St. Michael-Albertville's Austin Springer (39) celebrates his key 12-yard sack of Champlin Park's Joey Faulds in the fourth quarter. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

The Knights returned home for their final season opener at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West with an unbeaten record in their first season in Class 6A (After this fall, the Knights will play at a new stadium that’ll be built at the high school).

That perfect record appeared to be in jeopardy when the Knights faced a 14-point deficit after committing two turnovers to Metro North district competitor, Champlin Park, in the first quarter.

Mitchell Kartes quickly put any fears of a blowout to rest, breaking off two touchdowns runs of 67 and 68 yards and returning an interception 60 yards for a touchdown that ultimately clinched a 31-21 win over the Rebels Friday night. He added a 12-yard touchdown on the ground to cap the evening with 218 rushing yards and three scores.

“[Champlin Park quarterback Joey Faulds] threw it right down the middle, it was a little deep so I looked opposite and saw everyone pursuing my side it was a foot race,” Kartes said, describing his interception return in the fourth quarter.

Kartes, a North Dakota State University football commit, holds the school track record for the 100-meter at 10.97 seconds and has the breakaway speed to turn the game into a track meet.

“[Kartes] played more snaps than everybody tonight and he looked the strongest in the fourth quarter,” coach Jared Essler said. “He’s got to be one of the best around. I haven’t see too many better.”

Protecting its first lead in the final seven minutes of the game, the Knights (3-0, 2-0), ranked sixth in the Class 6A Associated Press poll, kept to their assignments as each individual focused on their job, Kartes said.

Austin Springer galvanized his defense that had struggled earlier in the game by sacking Faulds on the ensuing possession after Kartes’ pick six. The sack forced the No. 3-6A Rebels (2-1, 1-1) to punt from their 6-yard-line which set up Kartes’ final TD.

“He brings a lot of extra fire,” Kartes said of Springer, who had 19 tackles and two sacks in the Knights' 40-20 win over Blaine last week. “Just a little guy who likes to dash around, and he makes plays you don’t think are possible but he always gets it done in the end of the day.”

Still unbeaten, St. Michael-Albertville seeks to climb the ranks in its final season at Middle School West where Essler estimated 4,000 people came to visit on youth night.

“It’s a special time for us. First time we’re playing all these teams in [Class] 6A, and also the last time we’re playing here,” Essler said. “It’s great atmosphere to play all of our home games in, and it was extra special we could come from behind and find a way to pull this one out."

"It shocks everyone in [Class] 6A, but it’s a new era," Springer added.


Champlin Park's Devon Gray (center) plunges through the line for a 3-yard touchdown to start the scoring Friday night against St. Michael-Albertville. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

First Report

Mitchell Kartes' 60-yard interception return for a touchdown helped the Knights mount a late 31-21 comeback victory over Metro North division foe Champlin Park Friday night at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West.

Kartes finished the game with 207 yards and three TDs on the ground.

Ranked sixth in the Associated Press Class 6A poll, the Knights (3-0, 2-0) trailed by 14 in the first quarter but rallied to win by scoring 15 unanswered points in the final frame.

Devon Gray scored two touchdowns for the No. 3-6A Rebels (2-1, 1-1).

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