at IRONDALE
SOUTH ST. PAUL 42, IRONDALE 21
Quarterback Bill Brandecker scored three TDs as the Packers — ranked No. 2 in Class 4A — won by dominating the second half. Irondale took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. But South St. Paul (3-0) rallied with 35 consecutive points. Credit the South St. Paul defense with shutting down Irondale's offense. Said Packers coach Chad Sexauer, "We battled back, we got out of a tough place with a victory and the kids stay humble."
Key of the game: Early in the third quarter, Packers defensive tackle Preston Woods forced a fumble. Curtis Felton scooped it up and ran 72 yards for a TD to put South St. Paul ahead 20-14.
Quote: "No one has come out and done that to us," said Woods, a 6-2, 290-pound senior who has caught the eye of nearly every Big Ten school. "It was a wakeup call.''
One thing to know: After giving up an eight-play, 69-yard drive on the Knights' opening possession, South St. Paul allowed Irondale to run just 12 offensive plays the rest of the first half.
JIM PAULSEN