Banged up Goodhue ends one play shy of victory, No. 1 seed

Possibly the most exciting southeastern Minnesota football game coming in didn’t disappoint.  Down by six with 3 seconds remaining, Goodhue had the ball on the 20-yard line. Lukas Olson picked off Jackson Lodermeier’s pass to Cody Ryan in the end zone to end the game.

With the final turnover going to Cannon Falls (5-1), they were able to come out of the grueling matchup with a 36-30 victory over Goodhue (4-2) Friday night.

The loss and close chance at the end surely sting, but it’s about getting healthy and realizing there’s time for corrections before a loss ends their season.

“We definitely got some things we need to improve on,” Jack O’Reilly said. “We knew it was going to come down to the last second pretty much. We had a couple guys out. Hopefully, we see them again in the section finals and get them in that one when it matters more. Matters for the 1-seed right now. Season's not ending from it.”

Trailing by two scores with 7 minutes left, Goodhue was able to keep everyone on the edge of their seats.

Will Montgomery scored what could have been the put-away touchdown. The Wildcats used everyone they had to get down the field. Colten Lohman had a much-needed catch on a fourth-and-5 with 5:22 at the Bomber 33. That eventually set up Jack O’Reilly for his second rushing touchdown of the game.

The Wildcats executed an onside kick to perfection with three Wildcat players all wrestling themselves for the ball. They had 3:50 to work with and the ball at midfield. With two timeouts left and no tackles for loss, going for the onside kick was a no-brainer for the Wildcats.

Working efficiently, they got to the 10-yard line. Lodermeier was sacked, and the Wildcats went with a few shorter gains before the final play.

The Wildcats came into the game without their defensive workhorse, Ethan O’Reilly. With the Bomber rushing attack, Goodhue went with five linemen and sorely missed O’Reilly.

Riley Mirsberger and Jeffrey Huntley each filled in well. Jack O’Reilly praised many of the linemen for stepping up their game and doing the most with the elevated role. Mirsberger and Huntley assisted on seven tackles.

Elijah Sievers had the first turnover of the game, recovering a fumble near midfield. Tim Strauss had two pass breakups.

“Ethan had some health issues and some infection in his leg. We're just hoping he's alright. Hopefully, he gets to come home from the hospital tomorrow,” said head coach Tony Poncelet. “Ethan is all about football. I'm sure it's killing him to sit there and watch. Nobody prepares like he does. Wish we had him out here.”

The win for the Bombers more than likely secures the No. 1 seed for them in the Section 4AA playoffs, barring any late-season catastrophe. Meaning Goodhue will settle for the No. 2 seed.

Goodhue has a resurgent Red Wing team at home Wednesday, then makes the business trip to Norwood Young America to face Central to end the season Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Cannon Falls goes all the way to Austin on Wednesday, then back on the road at Triton Wednesday, Oct. 20.

Notes

Every possession for Goodhue or Cannon Falls ended in either points or a turnover. Two touchdowns and two turnovers aside in the first half. Cannon Falls did not have a turnover in the second half.

This matchup played similarly to a meeting in 2022. Goodhue opened their season at Cannon Falls and exchanged points, turnovers and defensive stops. The Wildcats used a wide receiver pass play to get within five points. The onside kick in that game was recovered by the Bombers as they held on for the 38-33 win.

Quotes

“Film is amazing nowadays. We'll be watching a lot of film. We'll break it down. Hopefully, we see these guys down the road. We're getting into mid-October, so the real football is about to start. Favorite time of the year.” - Head coach Tony Poncelet on the preparation and what’s ahead for the Wildcats.

Not knowing where the ball is. They got black jerseys, black arm sleeves, gloves, everything. And the ball is pretty much black. Got to tackle everyone that comes through.” - Jack O’Reilly on the hardest aspect of stopping, or slowing down, the Cannon Falls offense.