Tea Area took advantage of a hot start to roll past Canton 35-16 in the 11A state championship game on Saturday afternoon. This is the second state football title for Tea Area in the past three years.
Canton received to start the game. On the first play from scrimmage for the C-Hawks, Titans linebacker Garrett Kolbeck jumped in front of a Seth Peterson pass for an interception. Three plays later, Austin Lake hit Conner Mulder for an 11-yard touchdown. Just 90-seconds into the game, Tea Area led 7-0.
Tea Area would get the ball back after forcing a three-and-out. On the Titans first play of their second drive, Kaden Johnson broke free for a 90-yard touchdown run to make it a 14-0 game.
The Titans would score again late in the opening quarter as Austin Lake took a read-option quarterback keeper 30-yards to the house.
End of the 1st Quarter: Tea Area 21 Canton 0
Tea Area scored within the first three-minutes of the second quarter as well when Lake found Cael Lundin for a 14-yard connection.
Canton’s offensive struggles would continue. On a drive that had some initial promise, it was quickly flipped upside down as Jeff Worth picked off a Peterson pass on a key third down. The C-Hawks were able to get a defensive stop on Tea Area’s next offensive possession, but a personal foul on the punt extended the Titans drive.
Halftime: Tea Area 28 Canton 0
Two-plays into the second half, Austin Lake broke free again – this time for a 63-yard touchdown run. Tea Area extended their lead, 35-0.
Seth Peterson broke the scoring null for Canton with a one-yard touchdown run at the 7:25 mark in the third quarter. After a successful two-point conversion, the score was 35-8 in favor of the Titans.
End of the 3rd Quarter: Tea Area 35 Canton 8
The C-Hawks would score again with 2:48 to play. Peterson hit Payton Eben for an eight-yard touchdown, and then Canton converted the two-point conversion, their second of the game.
From there, Tea Area ran out the clock to victory.
Final: Tea Area 35 Canton 16
Titans quarterback Austin Lake finished the game with 142-yards passing and two touchdowns, while also running for two scores with 116-yards on the ground. He was awarded the Joe Robbie MVP award.
Outstanding Lineman: Luke Rettedal
Outstanding Back: Austin Lake
Joe Robbie MVP: Austin Lake
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