The thirteenth-ranked Yellowjacket Football team won their first post-season game against Ridgewater College on Saturday, October 26th. They move onto the second round of playoffs this upcoming weekend with a 8-1 record and ranked first in the MCAC. The Yellowjackets are now ranked 1st in the NJCAA for Defensive Interceptions (20) and Defensive Touchdowns (7).
The Yellowjackets passed for 146 yards and rushed for 339 yards. Tanner Menke (Jackson, MN) passed for all 146, Menke connected with Matt Blanchard for a 4 yard touchdown. Phil McCarthy snatched a 61-yard pass from Menke, which was the best reception for the Yellowjackets that day. Montrell Jones caught a 25-yard pass from Menke as well. Josh Zitzmann (Farmington, MN) and Evan Bungum (Sargeant, MN) each successfully received two passes, Zitzmann for 21 yards and Bungum for 19. Alex Schliesmann (Sherburn, MN) led the team in rushing, covering a lot of ground Saturday, he rushed for 213 yards on 20 carries. Schliesmann also scored a touchdown on one of his carries. Jake Kirsch (Rochester, MN) got close to breaking 100 yards rushing but came up 8 yards short, with 13 carries for 92 yards. Menke recorded 25 yards rushing on 5 carries.
Ruan Albuquerque (Wayzata, MN) successfully kicked 3 of 4 extra point attempts. Brandon Sivertson (Tigerton, WI) punted 84 yards on 2 punts, with his longest being 43 yards.
The team's defense recorded 60 tackles, 5 of which were tackles for loss of yards, 3 interceptions, and 2 blocks. Dominque Young led the team in tackles with 8, and 1 sack against Ridgewater. Justin Carr (Rochester, MN) was right behind him with 7 tackles and 1 sack. Joey Strike (Spring Valley, MN) recorded 6 tackles. Lakeem Goode, Alex Glomski, James Horton (Apple Valley, MN), and William Brice (North Miami, Florida) each had 5 tackles. Goode also intercepted a Ridgewater pass. Horton sacked their quarterback twice and Brice also recorded a sack. Kenneth McChristion and Travis Frank (Caledonia, MN) had 4 tackles a piece; McChristion caught two interceptions against Ridgewater and Frank was able to sack their quarterback as well.
The Yellowjackets move onto the second round of playoffs with home-field advantage. They will take on Vermillion Community College on Saturday, November 2nd with kickoff at 2pm.
With 12 national champions, two Hall of Fame coaches and more than 190 All Americans since 1957, you can Expect Champions at RCTC.
