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The Totino Grace Eagles (4-1) scored two touchdowns in their first three offensive plays on their way to a 49-12 over the Wildcat football team last Friday night at Totino Grace High School in Fridley. The Wildcats played without injured running back Cory Lushanko, but it's doubtful that even Lushanko's speed and elusiveness would have made much of a difference in this one.

Just over two minutes into the game, the Wildcats tried to punt from their own 31 yard line. The Eagles blocked it and recovered at the 19. Two plays later, they scored on an off tackle play from the three yard line and led 7-0 after the extra point.

The Wildcats made a bid to answer on their next possession. Starting on their own 30, Brian Kelly and quarterback Jeff Sargeant each ran five yards, giving the Wildcats a first down. Sargeant ran for 9 yards on the next play. But the drive stalled, and the Wildcats faced fourth and inches near the 50. The Wildcats lined up in a strange formation, forcing the confused Eagles to call a time out. The team lined up in punt formation again. The center snapped the ball short to Sargeant, and he ran left on the fake punt for 18 yards. Unfortunately, the Wildcats were called for illegal procedure, so the play was wiped out. The Wildcats punted from the 45, and the Eagles took over on their own 34 lard line.

On the next play, the Eagle quarterback faded back to pass. He threw toward a receiver so wide open 30 yards downfield there had to be some blown coverage. The receiver made the catch, turned and ran untouched to the end zone for a 66 yard touchdown. The Eagles continued to move the ball well on the ground and in the air throughout the first half, building a 35-0 lead by halftime.

The Wildcats tried an onside kick to open the second half, but the Eagles recovered. Four plays later they again visited the Wildcat end zone and led 42-0 just over a minute into the second half. The Eagles scored again later in the third quarter to make it 49-0, and the Wildcats returned the subsequent kickoff to their own 38 and commenced a 14-play scoring drive. On first down from the 50, Joe Davis took a pitch left and ran 12 yards for a first down. On fourth and goal from the Eagle four yard line, Sargeant pitched to the right to Josh Wilson. Wilson barreled into the end zone to get the Wildcats on the board. The Wildcat two-point conversion try field and they trailed 49-6 with just under nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.

With under four minutes remaining in the game, the Eagles faced fourth and two from their own 45. They decided to go for it, but their running back was tripped up and fell just short of the first down. Starting at the Eagle 47, Davis took a pitch right for 20 yards. On the next play, Trevor Thurnbeck took the ball up the middle, broke two tackles and motored into the end zone with just under two minutes remaining. The Wildcats again failed in their two point attempt, making the final score Totino Grace 49, Chisago Lakes 12.

The Wildcats outgained the Eagles on the ground for the game, with 246 yards to 216 for the Eagles. Sargeant was the Wildcats leading rusher, with 125 yards on 20 carries. But the Eagles outpassed the Wildcats 190 yards to 16 and started their drives in much better field position.

Ultimately, this game was very disappointing. We didn't play very well, period. I didn't do a good job as a coach. If we are going to achieve our goals this season, we have got to get better to get over the hump. We knew what we were up against playing Totino. But there's no excuse for us to play like that. We are a better team than we showed and didn't display it. One guy played a very courageous game for us and that was Jeff Sargeant. He battle to the end and never gave up. He's the example of how we all need to play and coach."

Lushanko's status for tomorrow night's game is uncertain, though the Wildcat coaches are hopeful he can play. Alex Vitalis is also a question mark for tomorrow night's game.

The Wildcats (4-1 overall) and the Fridley Tigers (3-2 overall) are tied for first in the North Suburban Conference with 3-1 conference records. They will battle to see who takes over sole possession of first place tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Chisago Lakes High School. Weiss expects a good battle with the Tigers. He said "This should be a fun game. Defensively, Fridley has played well so far this year. They feature a more wide open style of play than we do and have a tough run game as part of their package. We will have to defend a larger part of the field. If we bring our game back to where it should be, we will be all right."

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