The Alexandria Cardinals held the Bemidji Lumberjacks to just 70 total yards on Saturday as they recorded a 39-0 shutout victory in the Section 8AAAAA semifinals. The Cardinals featured a balanced offensive attack that had 127 passing yards and 139 rushing yards for 266 yard of total offense.
Following a scoreless first quarter, Alexandria took a 16-0 lead into halftime. Andrew Paten got the Cardinals on the board with a 3 yard touchdown run and Daniel Jackson made it 7-0 with the extra-point kick. Brayden Staples then recorded a safety for a 9-0 lead. Chase Thompson connected with Evan Kludt on a 25 yard TD pass, followed by a Jackson PAT kick, giving the Cards their 16-0 halftime advantage.
A 34-yard field goal by Jackson pushed the lead to 34-0 early in the third quarter and Paten’s second rushing TD of the night, this one from 8 yards out, was followed by another Jackson PAT kick for a 26-0 lead. Staples returned a fumble 3 yards for another score and Jackson again tacked on the extra-point for a commanding 33-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Brody Berg finished the scoring by scooping up a fumble and going 24 yards to the end zone, putting the final score at 39-0.
Paten led the team with 72 yards on the ground on 15 carries, and Kludt was the leading receiver with 54 yards 5 receptions. Thompson was an efficient 11-for-14 throwing the football for 127 yards. Staples had productive defensive performance with 3 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles, a sack, a safety and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
The Cardinals will host the Section 8AAAAA championship game against Brainerd on Friday at 7:00pm.