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DULUTH – Quarterback Grant Loge rushed for two touchdowns, but the Patriot football team fell to top-ranked Esko 22-19 in the Section 7AAA championship at Malosky Stadium at the University of Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, Nov. 3.
“I'm so proud of them,” head coach Bill Magnuson said. “That team (Esko) was the No. 1 team in the state and had not been behind in a game yet this year, and we were ahead going into the fourth quarter. Our kids played their hearts out. They followed our defensive game plan to a ‘T’ and did a great job.
“I'm just really, really pleased with our kids and the way we performed. It did come out on the short end, mostly because of a fourth quarter that just kind of got away.”
Loge completed 13 passes for 129 yards in the game – 106 of those yards on three passes to Riley Larson.
The Patriots finish the season with a record of 8-3 – a complete turnaround from last season’s 1-8 finish.
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“When you start a new season, there's a little doubt in your mind because of the way it was last year but they set that to rest right away in game one with a win,” Magnuson said. “There are so many great storylines from last year to this year, and we are beyond proud.”
With the season over, the Patriots part ways with 19 seniors.
“There are a lot of great players in that group, but also great leaders,” Magnuson said. “People passionate about the game and each other.”
Pequot Lakes 7-6-6-0—19
Esko 0-14-0-14—28
PL — Grant Loge 1 run (Tommy Blomer kick)
E — Nolan Witt 1 run (Wyatt Hudspith kick)
PL — Bryar Nordby 1 run (kick failed)
E — Carter Zezulka 8 pass from Ty Christensen (Hudspith kick)
PL — Loge 1 run (run failed)
E — Javontae Gregory 17 run (Hudspith kick)
E — Joey Antonutti 26 fumble return ((Hudspith kick)
Dan Determan, sports writer/staff writer, may be reached at 218-855-5879 or dan.determan@pineandlakes.com . Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Dan .
