Anderson returns to strike Thunder

By news@inforum.com

October 22, 2002 at 11:00 PM

BARNESVILLE, Minn. -- David Anderson is back.

But now, apparently, he's John Elway.

Having missed the last month due to a fractured left leg, the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton senior quarterback scored four touchdowns, threw for 258 yards and was generally unstoppable in his return Tuesday, a 38-28 victory over Agassiz Valley in the Class 2A, Section 8 football quarterfinals.

A case of pregame anxiety was the only thing that got in the way of the signal caller.

"I couldn't even sit down in school," Anderson said. "I couldn't sleep last night.

"We finally got a chance to beat these guys. Revenge."

And vengeance was served by the Rebels, who lost 30-29 in overtime to the Thunder (3-6) in the season opener.

However, that was rightfully overshadowed by the performance of Anderson, a three-year starter.

He was 11-for-12 passing.

He ran for three scores.

He threw for a touchdown and a 2-point conversion.

He caught a conversion.

He played defensive back.

Anderson was, for one evening, the alpha and the omega, leading D-G-F (3-6) out of a four-game losing streak incurred in his absence.

"I didn't expect anything near this," said Rebels coach Craig Anderson, also David's father. "We lost him four weeks ago, and we thought we were playing some good football at the time. ... It was good to do the things we do."

By no means was it a blowout; Agassiz Valley trailed by two points late in the third quarter and only fell off pace with an interception midway through the fourth.

But, led by their resurgent QB, the sure-handed Rebels simply could not be stopped.

With the exception of its first two possessions, D-G-F scored a touchdown or ran out the clock every time it had the ball.

"Defensively, we just didn't play very disciplined," said Agassiz Valley coach Stacy Martz. "We needed to stop the dive and contain the quarterback and we didn't do it."

So contrary to their traditional run-heavy scheme, the Rebels exploited the quick, but confused Thunder secondary with repeated tight end slants and deep streaks.

"They were open," David Anderson said of the liberal plays, "might as well take it."

With the win, D-G-F advances to play at top-seed Walker-Hackensack-Akeley at 2 p.m. Saturday.

For the first time this season, the Rebels are healthy and have some momentum.

They've also got a quarterback ostensibly nervous, yet playing like a hall of famer.

"Before the game his (Anderson's) eyes were huge," said Rebels senior Tom Costello, who had 146 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. "I could feel it with him. He was so nervous.

"But he played a great game, probably the best I've ever seen him play."

D-G-F 0 16 15 7--38

Agassiz Valley 8 8 6 8--28

AV--Carr 17 pass from Askegaard (Emmerich run)

DGF--Anderson 1 run (Costello pass from Anderson)

AV--Cox 1 run (Emmerich run)

DGF--Costello 56 pass from Anderson (Anderson pass from Costello)

DGF--Anderson 1 run (Hagen pass from Costello)

AV--Emmerich 49 run (run failed)

DGF--Anderson 1 run (Myhre kick)

AV--Askegaard 3 run (run failed)

DGF--M. Johnk 12 run (Myhre kick)