Just minutes before the opening kickoff, it was discovered that the Pequot Lakes football team's video camera wasn't working for the Patriots' Class AAA state quarterfinal matchup against Mora on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Public School Stadium in Duluth.
The camera was important since teams are required to provide video for their next opponent. The problem was quickly resolved as Mora agreed to let Pequot Lakes use its tape. But the incident seemed to typify the Patriots' fortune for the next couple hours in a 31-14 loss to the Mustangs.
"It just wasn't our day," Pequot Lakes coach Chip Lohmiller said of the loss, which snapped his team's 10-game winning streak and ended the Patriots bid to reach the semifinals in the Metrodome.
With the exception of two long runs by senior Matt Michaelson, one for a touchdown and a second that set up Cody Chambers' scoring run, the highlights were few for a squad making its first state appearance in program history.
A big reason is the admirable effort of the Mustangs, who assumed an early 12-0 lead and also bounced back in the second half to score on the kickoff return right after Pequot Lakes had cut the deficit to 19-14.
"I give Mora credit," Lohmiller said. "They scored right when the momentum was going our way."
Pequot Lakes played hard, but the team wasn't able to mount steady drives on offense while the defense surrendered 323 total yards. The Patriots also dealt with injuries, especially losing quarterback Cole Engen to a fractured ankle early in the second quarter.
"Some of our kids are still in shock that our season is over," Lohmiller said on Monday. "I'm proud of our kids. They had a great year."
The Patriots set a variety of unofficial records in finishing 10-2 overall this season. Some of those records include:
Winning the first section football title in Pequot Lakes' history.
Earning the most victories (10) in a season.
The most consecutive wins (10) in a season.
Most points in one season (415).
Most team rushing yards (3,892) in one season.
Most rushing yards (2,060) by an individual - Matt Michaelson.
Most career rushing yards (3,363) - Michaelson.
Michaelson is just one of the 21 seniors on the Patriots' roster who played a big role in the team's success, according to Lohmiller.
"Matt has been awesome, but we also had a lot of other people who really deserve credit," he said. "Cody Chambers did a lot of blocking for Matt and also rushed for over 1,000 yards in his career. We will have a big hole at fullback and middle linebacker next year without Cody."
Lohmiller added that other key seniors included the team's offensive line, with three players who will be graduating (Chris Tappe, Jason Daudt and Kendall Swenson). Some of the other key starters on defense besides Chambers and Tappe at linebacker, were defensive backs like Engen, David Liedl and Nic Greer.
"We have some good players coming back who will step up next year," Lohmiller said. A couple of those players mentioned by the coach were juniors Logan Lange, Jacob Box and Luke Landecker and sophomores Nolan Michaelson and Nevin Greer.
