Aquinas efficiency smothers Cedar Catholic, 40-6.

It happened during halftime outside Duncan Field during the Monarch's quarterfinal game against Hastings St. Cecilia. I could not make out the words, but the tone of Aquinas had coach Ron Mimick was stern and filled with words that meant business. Not often have I heard good friend Ron Mimick speak in this tone, but what transpired in that second half in Hastings took hold and never let up.

Since that speech, I would be hard pressed to find 10 more efficent quarters of football by an 11-Man football team. And this morning Hartington Cedar Catholic was on the receiving end of a Monarch whipping as Coach Mimick and his Aquinas forces dismantled the Trojans 40-6 in the Class C-2 State Football Championship.

It was a sun splashed, nearly windless morning for football, in sharp contrast to the brutal conditions yesterday in the opener. It almost seemed like a Murphy's Law game for Cedar as they suffered 8 turnovers, most forced by the swarming Tony Smith Monarch defensive machine. At every conceivable turn it was some bizarre turn of events hitting the Trojans in the face.

It was the third state title in 4 years for Aquinas and really, no end in sight as far as success is concerned.

Aquinas defense set the tone early when a Spencer Maguire hit forced 3 time 1000 yard rusher Ryan Becker to cough up the ball Trojan 27. But Cedar held their ground in the red zone a forced Aquinas into a field goal attempt, which was wide left. On the very next Monarch possession, fullbacks Lane Napier and Kenton Kobza, aided by the crisp blocking of the Monarch line, led Aquinas downfied to their first score. Napier did the honors from a yard out and Aquinas had 7-0 1st quarter lead.

Aquinas was in business a few moments into the 2nd quarter. QB/DB Trev Semrad stepped in front of a James Kaiser pass at the Cedar Catholic 42, picked it off and returned it to the 29 yard line. 5 plays later, Napier had his second TD of the day with a 6 yard scamper. After another short Trojan possession, Aquinas offense put on a clinic on grind it out, fundamental Wing-T football. The Monarchs consumed nearly 7 minute of the 2nd quarter, driving 80 yards for the score. Trev Semrad did the scoring honors with a 6 yard run.

The half ended with Aquinas leading 20-0. The first half was vintage Aquinas Catholic football. 195 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns, and the defense allowing a paltry 33 total yards. 11 first downs to 2.

It appeared that Hartington Cedar Catholic head coach Chad Cattau had made some adjustments at halftime. The Trojans stuffed Aquinas on their 1st possession of the 3rd quarter. Three and out. But Murphy's Law came back to bite on Cedar's next possession and it hit hard.

After Ryan Becker led the Trojans all the way to the Aquinas 33, reserve quarterback Tanner Keiser fired a pass out to the right flat, but Trev Semrad stepped in front of the receiver, pirated the aeriel, and sprinted 65 yards for the score. Back breaker. Starting QB James Kaiser had been injured a few plays before and consequently did not return. And if that wasn't damaging enough, on the ensuing kick-off Cedar Catholic's splendid all-around player and kick-return man, Tristen Steffen was hit squirming for extra yardage, fumbled, and Aquinas Spencer Maguire pounced on his 2nd fumble recovery of the morning.

Three plays later, in the blink of a Monarch eye, Lane Napier broke through a huge opening and dashed 19 yards for another TD. 33-0 Aquinas......6:25 ticks left in the 3rd. Two touchdowns in a span of a minute and 2 ticks.

The Murphy's Law day became complete on Hatington CC's next possession when Semrad picked off his 3rd pass of the day. On a bizarre play it appeared that Tristen Steffen, one of the best receivers in Class C-2, had the ball. But on his way to the ground, the ball was stripped, tipped in the air and caught--ala Matt Davison style--- by Semrad. 4 plays later Lane Napier sprinted 5 yards untouched for the score and suddenly it was 40-0 with 1:15 left in the 3rd........and an unthinkable running clock.

Cedar Catholic did manage a score on a highlight reel 14 yard TD reception by Tristen Steffen....how fitting.

The Aquinas offense, whose 1000 yard rushers you can count on less than 2 hands through their history, was led by sophomore Lane Napier's 119 yards on 17 carries and 3 Tds. Noah Pelan ran 12 times for 86 yards and a score, Connor Kranda added 42 yards on 8 carries and some tough running. On defense, Trent Smith had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. Napier followed with 8 stops, Mitch White had 7 and Spencer Maguire had 6 stops and 2 recovered fumbles.

For the Trojans, it was Ryan Becker leading the ground attack with 91 yards on 19 touches. Jared Wiebelhaus led the defense for Cedar with 13 tackles.

There are not too many teams very successful stopping Aquinas offense or running OR passing through defense. Ron Mimick calls the offense, Tony Smith calls the defense, and the entire football team buys into the program year after year. And, today you saw the results.