Let’s cut to the chase. Bethel has beaten the Johnnies 3 years in a row. The last 2 years in Arden Hills and in 2006 their first win ever in Collegeville. The mystique is gone. The Royals have developed a gameplan that is effective, and quite simply, works against SJU. This is what great rivalries are built on. For 25+ years Bethel was an automatic W on the schedule. That all changed 10 years ago in Arden Hills in dramatic fashion and is certainly no longer the case under the direction of Head Coach Steve Johnson. Both squads have to be able to win any given year (I’m looking at you Tommies where this hasn’t been the case).
The formula for Bethel’s recent success is as follows: Run the ball down your throat and then lean on you with their enormous Offensive Line in the 4th Quarter. Win the turnover battle and take advantage of the miscues. Control the time of possession (long plodding drives with the slippery Flannery, QB scrambles, and short dink & dunk passes) which tires out the Johnnie defense while also keeping the potent Johnnie offense on the sidelines. Add in an occasional huge special teams play or kick/punt return for a touchdown and it is easy to see how the Royals have won the matchup 3 straight seasons.
I’m looking forward to seeing 10,000+ people at Clemens Stadium back at SJU for Homecoming on Saturday afternoon. I mean this is shaping up to be one of the greatest sports weekends in Minnesota history. The Border Battle for the Axe at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, the final game at the Dome in the midst of an incredible pennant race on Sunday, the Monday Night Football game at the Dome between Favre and his former mates from Green Bay, and the Wild home opener on Tuesday night in St. Paul. I’ve got tickets to a few of these events, but there is no place I’d rather be on Saturday at 1pm than Collegeville, MN.
FYI: The Johnnie tailgate party will commence around 9am Saturday morning in the Science Center Parking Lot just above the South Endzone. Grillmaster Veek will be serving Brats/Burgers/Beverages and Johnnie Hospitality in large quantities. Enjoy the beautiful Fall day in Collegeville!!!
