This wasn't supposed to happen. Talent-stuffed DeLaSalle was expected to cruise through the Class 4A quarterfinals against Becker to a semifinals matchup with No. 2-ranked Hutchinson that awaited.
"I thought they brought a college team instead of their high school team," said an impressed Becker coach Dwight Lundeen.
They may not have looked as impressive on the sidelines, but on the field the Bulldogs showed a formidable bite, using a varied passing offense and taking advantage of DeLaSalle's penchant for self-destruction to emerge with a 21-14 victory.
Tommy Benson completed 11 of 24 passes for 160 yards for Becker, whose passing game routinely frustrated the No. 1-ranked Islanders.
"We probably throw the ball more than anyone else in the state," Benson said. "I've played with my receivers for so long, I know exactly what they'll do."
Becker started the game strong, going 64 yards in 10 plays on its first possession, taking a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard run by Austen Soares.
DeLaSalle bumbled for the rest of the first half. The Islanders dropped five passes, fumbled the ball away twice, committed five penalties and had difficulty covering the Bulldogs in clutch situations.
"It was one of those games where we had breakdowns on just about every play," DeLaSalle coach Sean McMenomy said. "We just couldn't put our finger on one thing. It was a different thing every time."
