Meixell's big play keeps Rogers season alive

The biggest play of Alex Meixell's football career just happens to be the biggest play in Rogers' team history. With precious seconds remaining Saturday in the Class 4A, Section 5 championship game against St. Michael-Albertville, Meixell -- a 5-10, 210-pound junior linebacker --recovered a fumble inside the Knights' 10-yard line and returned it for the game-winning touchdown. Rogers (9-1) avenged its only loss of the year (a wacky 11-6 game against the Knights) and plays its first state tournament game Friday against 10-0 Totino-Grace. Meixell spoke with the Star Tribune's Brian Stensaas earlier this week.

Q A lot of people have heard about your big play, but describe it to me in your own words.

A I was getting off a block, and all of a sudden I saw the ball laying on the ground. I just picked it up, secured it as best as I could and ran as fast as I could into the end zone. It happened so quick, I almost don't remember it. I know I hit one guy on my way in. I do remember that.

Q You hear all the time coaches and commentators on TV yell 'fall on the ball' when there's a fumble. Why didn't you?

A Instincts kicked in, I guess, and I just picked it up. There was open field in front of me, so I figured I had time to reach down and then run.

Q Have you made plays like that one before?

A Not this year. I've played some fullback, but nothing like this on defense.

Q Where does this rank in your life moments?

A Oh -- it's my top. This is the best thing that's happened to me so far.

Q What was the postgame celebration like?

A It feels good to win a game whenever you can. But when you can knock off St. Michael-Albertville, it just feels great. This whole team worked so hard, and to win a game like that was awesome. We were so happy.

Q The last time you played St. Michael-Albertville at one point the game was 4-0. What is it about these two teams playing memorable games?

A I don't know. I think it's just two good teams playing each other. You know it's going to be a good game, something to talk about. It's a big rivalry, so everybody comes out to play.

Q Have you ever seen or even thought about a 4-0 football score?

A That was crazy. That's high school football for you.

Q You guys have chipped away at a bunch of team goals this season. What has it meant to be a part of Rogers football this fall?

A We worked so hard in the offseason and going through all of those two-a-days. Everybody really focused on the team this year. We've had individuals in the past, but this year we wanted to be a team. It just feels great to have accomplished everything we've accomplished this year.

Q And now a tough test in Totino-Grace.

A They got some pretty good running backs, but our defense has been pretty good this year at stopping the run. Hopefully we can match up against them pretty well. We know we're going to have to come out and play ball. They're a great team, but we feel we are too. This is going to be a game between two of the best teams in the state.