On a cool, gray day with occasional snow flurries falling in Collegeville the Johnnies hosted the champions of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Redlands University Bulldogs.
The Johnnies began the game with a bang. After kicking off to Redlands, the first play from scrimmage by Redlands was a pass play that was intercepted by SJU safety John Cloeter. Cloeter returned the intercepted pass for an apparent TD, but an illegal block gave the Johnnies the ball on the Redlands 20-yard line. Five plays later the Johnnie’s Alex Kofoed ran the ball in from 4-yards out. Russell Gliadon added the PAT and the Johnnies led 7-0.
Midway through the second quarter Redlands got on the scoreboard with a 4-yard run by RB Zach Schafer, the PAT failed and the Johnnies lead was cut to 7-6.
Both teams went back and forth not scoring again until just under 2 minutes remaining in the second quarter. This is the point of the game when the fireworks began, both on the field and on the sidelines.
Weber hauls in the long TD pass from Kofoed
Alex Kofoed called an audible at the line seeing a defensive miscue by Redlands and taking advantage by airing out a pass that Brian Weber converted into a 61-yard catch and run which put SJU up 14-6 with the conversion of Gliadon’s PAT.
This is where the fireworks begin. After kicking off to the Bulldogs the Johnnie’s Ryan Wimmer forced a fumble two plays later, which was recovered by Mitch Eversman.
Four plays later, Kofoed hooks up on a 14-yard pass play to Mike Patnode to make the score SJU 21-Redlands 6 with just under a minute remaining in the 1st half.
The Johnnies fireworks were not done yet. The first play of the Redlands possession was intercepted by SJU safety John Cloeter and the Johnnies took over at the Redland’s 35-yard line with 23 seconds to play in the half. Kofoed connects with Chace Pollock for a 1st down. Two plays later Kofoed throws to Pollock in the end zone for an apparent Johnnie TD. The official ruled that Pollock did not have sole passion of the ball before the Redlands defender knocked the ball from his hands. A lengthy discussion between John Gagliardi and the officiating crew ensured. This discussion did not change the ruling on the field, but it certainly energized the coaching staff, players and the Johnnie crowd. Russell Gliadon notched a 26-yard FG with 2 seconds remaining on the clock.
The Johnnies go into half time with a 24 to 6 lead and momentum on their side.
The Johnnies take over in the 3rd quarter where they left off at half time. On their first possession the Johnnies moved the ball down the field and scored on a 27-yard Russell Gliadon FG. The Johnnies lead is extended to 27-6. In the play-offs, the kicking game is magnified as so many games can be determined by the slightest of margins, and to this point in the tournament the Johnnie’s kicking game has been spectacular.
Patnode racks up some of his 180 all-purpose yards
After exchanging passions in the 3rd quarter the Johnnies get back on the board, this time Kofoed again connects with Mike Patnode for a 4-yard TD pass, With the Gliadon PAT the score is SJU 34-Redlands 6.
Redlands continues a drive that they started in the 3rd quarter and notches their final score 2-minutes into the 4th quarter and the Johnnies lead is cut to 34-13.
Midway through the 4th quarter the Johnnie’s Dereck Stifter had a big 39-yard punt return that was the springboard for the Johnnie’s final score of the day. Stifter weaved his way to the Redlands 18-yard line. Seven plays later Kofoed connects with Chace Pollock in the end zone for a 4-yard scoring play. There was no controversy on this play and with the Gliadon PAT the score was SJU 41- Redlands 13. This would be the final score of the game.
The leading tacklers on the Johnnie defense were Ryan Wimmer, Kevin Boegel, James Shockman, Mitch Eversman, Dominic Haik, Nick Gunderson and Joe Luke.
John Cloeter had 2 interceptions and Kevin Boegel added another. James Shockman and Nick Gunderson each added QB sacks.
The Johnnie’s special team play was much improved, after less than stellar performances in the final conference games against St. Thomas and Bethel.
Next stop for the Johnnies is a familiar place, Pella, Iowa. The Johnnies will take on the Central College Dutch. The Johnnies have defeated the Dutch in Pella in both 2000 and 2006. If the Johnnies can defeat the Dutch once again, the West Region Championship game will be played either at Bethel or in Collegeville. The Bethel Royals host the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. If Eau Claire defeats Bethel and the Johnnies beat the Dutch then the championship is in Collegeville. If the Johnnies and Royals both win on Thanksgiving weekend they will have a re-match in Arden Hills. First things first, the Johnnies need to remain focused on the game at hand which will be in Pella at noon on Saturday.
This is the Division III Play-offs and it is a magical time of year. I can’t think of a better time for a little Johnnie magic and a 41-13 first round win is a great start!
