Spartans sputter late against Saints

Amidst a patriotic backdrop and a must-win situation with regards to the Class A playoff picture, Grundy Center played inspired football early against Saint Ansgar on Friday night, taking a two touchdown lead in the first half. But the undefeated, seventh-ranked Saints proceeded to steal all of the momentum and reel off 35 straight points en route to a 42-21 final and a deflating home loss for Coach Brent Thoren’s squad.
           
“We were pretty tough to defend. It was just that we couldn’t stop them,” Thoren said. “I thought our kids played really well… if people want to come watch some good football in Class A, stop into district three. We’ll show you how to play.”
           
Grundy Center (3-3, 2-2) moved down the field deliberately on its opening possession, a 16 play, 70 yard march that took nearly eight minutes off the clock and included two crucial Caleb Kuiper fourth down conversions. After Drew Rathe caught a pass to set up first and goal at the Saint Ansgar two-yard line, Kuiper punched it in on the next play and put the Spartans ahead 7-0.
           
The ensuing Saints touchdown drive could not have been more antithetical: on the first snap, senior Josh Van Vliet, who finished with 183 yards rushing, found a gap to the right and scampered 75 yards into the end zone to even up the score. 
 
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