The Belle Plaine Tigers’ dreams of making a strong run through the Section 3AAA playoffs ended prematurely on Tuesday night, with a devastating, last-minute loss to the Fairmont Cardinals, on Belle Plaine’s home field.
While the Tigers had the #4 seed and home field advantage against the #5 Cardinals, Fairmont had previously beaten Belle Plaine 27-7 — its biggest loss of the season.
Fairmont was leading 14-0 with 10:24 left in the first half, and Belle Plaine did not get on the clock until the final seconds of the first half.
Junior quarterback Reed Creighton gets ready to fire off a pass.
PHOTO BY RACHEL MILLER
Chaz Iovino recovered a fumble, and the Tigers took over possession on their own 26-yard line with 2:27 in the first half. Landon Wadsley made a huge catch to put Belle Plaine on Fairmont’s 45-yard line, and two more carries from Caden Koepp and Wadsley advanced the Tigers to the 30-yard line.
With just 16 seconds left in the first half, Koepp found the endzone for a touchdown, and senior Adrian Grilla kicked a successful extra point to close the gap to 14-7.
The Tigers congratulate Mason Bungarden after he sacked Fairmont's quarterback for a loss.
PHOTO BY RACHEL MILLER
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