Blaine, Centennial share football rivalry, resiliency

The high schools in Blaine and Centennial share a border and, in turn, a rivalry.

Last Friday their football teams showed resiliency to be a shared trait. Both the Bengals and Cougars erased double-digit deficits en route to 22-21 comeback victories.

Blaine's situation looked especially dire. After recovering a goal line fumble, Anoka marched 99 yards for a score and built a 21-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter. A Bengals team crushed by Champlin Park on opening night seemed headed for a 0-2 season start.

"We talk a lot about not flinching," coach Tom Develice said. "We knew we could move the ball. We just had to stop making mistakes on offense."

The Bengals got on track in a big way. Quarterback Ben Beckman threw three touchdown passes — all for at least 24 yards — as Blaine roared back for 19 points in the final 12 minutes.

"We have a pretty young team so a game like that is huge for our confidence," Develice said. "There's a huge difference in sitting 1-1 instead of 0-2."

Centennial improved to 2-0 despite spotting Champlin Park a 14-0 advantage in the first quarter.

"We're so banged up," coach Mike Diggins said. "I was proud of the way we kept hammering."

Trailing 21-10 after three quarters, Centennial rallied for 12 unanswered points. A Logan Davey interception in Cougars' territory iced the victory.

"It was a big win for us that gives us confidence going into the Elk River game," Diggins said.

Blaine senior midfielder Tyler Johnson sparked the offense in two road games last week. Johnson, the team captain, scored twice in a 4-0 victory against Elk River before exploding for four goals in the Bengals' 5-1 victory against Andover.

Anoka High School welcomes five new members to its Hall of Fame: Tracy Dahl, David and James Hazewinkel, Garth Lappin and Richard K. Sorenson.

The inductees will be introduced at halftime of the Coon Rapids vs. Anoka football game on Friday at Goodrich Field.