A nail-biting football game on October 20, 2023, ended in heartbreak for the Bemidji High School team as they narrowly lost to the third-ranked Alexandria Cardinals, 36-35. The match showcased a fierce back-and-forth battle with both teams exchanging momentum and only one punt throughout the contest. This defeat marked the eighth consecutive win for Alexandria over Bemidji.
Bemidji’s head coach, Bryan Stoffel, expressed disappointment following the match. “The reason we lost was because we made too many mistakes against a quality team,” he stated. “We had our chances to win the game and we just didn’t capitalize.” He emphasized the seasoned nature of Alexandria’s play, noting how they effectively took advantage of the Lumberjacks’ errors.
The game’s pivotal moment occurred late in the fourth quarter. Facing a fourth and 2 at the Cardinals’ 10-yard line and trailing by one point, the Jacks initially lined up for a field goal. However, Stoffel opted to call a timeout and sent his offense back onto the field in search of a first down or touchdown. “I’d rather get a touchdown and finish the game rather than kick a field goal and go up by two,” he explained. Unfortunately for Bemidji, a mishandled toss resulted in a turnover on downs.
With just two minutes remaining, the Bemidji defense managed to force Alexandria into a fourth and 2 situation. Yet, a clever fake punt allowed the Cardinals to secure a first down, effectively sealing their win. This loss adds to a troubling trend for Bemidji; all three of their losses this season have been by a single possession, including a 50-42 defeat to Elk River and a 32-31 loss to Buffalo.
“Close games require an elevated level of focus, discipline, and intensity,” Stoffel noted. “In those losses, we’ve had breakdowns that have hurt us at crucial moments. If we want to contend for a section title, we need to address these issues.”
In the first three quarters, Bemidji’s offense appeared to be in good form. Following a key interception by Trevor Larson, Rhys Sneide executed a reverse play, sprinting 62 yards for the opening touchdown, putting Bemidji ahead 7-0. Just when Bemidji seemed to have seized momentum with another interception, this time from Gunnar Ganske, a fumble by Brennen Brower allowed Alexandria to capitalize at the Lumberjacks’ 27-yard line.
The Cardinals responded swiftly, scoring a touchdown through Brody Berg and converting a two-point attempt to take an 8-7 lead. The scoring frenzy continued as both teams traded touchdowns. Ultimately, Bemidji entered halftime with a slim 21-16 lead after a 22-yard touchdown pass from Sneide.
The Jacks started the third quarter strong with a touchdown pass from Vandermeer to Wyatt Tverstol, extending their lead to 28-16. Despite Alexandria closing the gap with a 44-yard touchdown run by Berg, Bemidji responded with another touchdown, making it 35-23.
In the fourth quarter, Alexandria’s offense began to dominate. A touchdown pass from Talan Witt to Jackson Waltzing brought the Cardinals closer, and they finished the game with a decisive 5-yard touchdown run by Waltzing, clinching the victory.
Stoffel acknowledged the strength of Alexandria’s running game, stating, “What they do is they spread you out and force you to defend the whole field.” This strategy proved challenging for Bemidji, especially in the second half when Alexandria’s offensive rhythm intensified.
The defeat means Bemidji has not triumphed over Alexandria since 2020. Despite this setback, Stoffel emphasized that the team must not accept moral victories. “I was proud of the boys and the way they battled against a very good opponent,” he remarked. “But we cannot be satisfied with just competing close, especially when we had the opportunity to win.”
The match concluded with Bemidji’s scoring breakdown as follows: 7 points in the first quarter, 14 in the second, and 14 in the third, while Alexandria scored 0 in the first, 16 in the second, 7 in the third, and 13 in the fourth.
As both teams prepare for upcoming games, the lessons learned from this tight encounter will be crucial for Bemidji in their pursuit of improvement and success in the remainder of the season.