GRAND FORKS, N.D. - While Matt Michaelson has earned a reputation as a big-play back for Pequot Lakes and has the numbers to justify it, the Patriots showed that there's more to their backfield than the standout senior.
Pequot Lakes' running game dominated as the Patriots defeated defending champion Perham 48-16 in the Minnesota Class 3A, Section 8 high school football championship game Friday night at the Alerus Center.
Michaelson entered the game with more than four times as many rushing yards (1,452) than any other PL back and more than three times as many touchdowns (19) as any of his backfield mates.
"We have a lot of good running backs," Pequot Lakes coach Chip Lohmiller said. "Matt's getting over the flu; we knew he wouldn't be 100 percent. But Logan (Lange) and Nolan (Michaelson) picked it up. And Cody (Chambers) had a good game."
Lange opened scoring on a 12-yard touchdown run on a pitchout to the left side with 4:12 left in the first quarter.
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"We couldn't have stopped them with 13 guys (on defense)," Perham coach Howie Kangas said. "They have a couple of great backs, and a mess of good ones. That's a tough combination."
P 0 0 8 8-16
PL 7 14 14 13-48
PL-Lange 12 run (Farone kick)
PL-Lange 10 run (Farone kick)
PL-Chambers 3 run (Farone kick)
PL-Chambers 3 run (Farone kick)
P-Phelps 39 pass from Bucholz (Bucholz run)
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PL-N. Michaelson 9 run (Farone kick)
PL-Engen 1 run (kick failed)
P-Waldon 58 pass from Bucholz (Waldon pass from Bucholz)
PL-Chambers 9 run (Farone kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: P, Scheidecker 11-49. PL, M. Michaelson 13-117, Lange 10-95, Chambers 14-80, Greer 5-76, Engen 9-61.
PASSING: P, Bucholz 11-26-2 250 yards. PL, Engen 3-6-1 69.
RECEIVING: P, Soderstrom 4-104, Waldon 2-62, Phelps 2-49, Schmitz 2-20. PL, Chambers 2-54, M. Michaelson 1-15.
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DeVillers is a writer for the Grand Forks Herald, which is owned by Forum Communications Co.
