Annandale finds ways past Dassel-Cokato in Class 3A football semifinal

Relying on both big plays and long drives, and in the end a big kick, Annandale downed Dassel-Cokato 24-14 in the Class 3A football state semifinals to advance to the Prep Bowl for the first time in team history.

Leading by just a touchdown, Annandale went on its third long scoring drive of the game, a 10-play, 51-yard affair that took 4 minutes, 46 seconds off the clock and ended with an 18-yard field goal by junior Zach Roe. It gave the Cardinals a 10-point, two-score lead with just 3:33 left in the game.

Annandale quarterback/defensive back Nick Walter's interception with 3:02 left sealed the victory.

Annandale (12-0) will play Stewartville in the Class 3A championship game.

"Early in the year, when the weather is really good, we throw the ball a lot," Annandale coach Matt Walter said. "Later in the year, we want to be able to run it and throw it. We could probably throw it every down, but this time of year you've got to be able to run the ball, control the clock."

Annandale came out throwing, taking a 7-0 lead when Walter, rolling to his left, found receiver Thomas Westman running free behind the DC defense for an 80-yard score.

Annandale went into ball-control mode on its next possession. The Cardinals went 93 yards on 13 plays and took a 14-0 lead on Brandon Valdez's 5-yard TD run off right tackle.

Dassel-Cokato (10-2) answered by doing what the Chargers do best: making a long, emphatic drive. They went on a 15-play, 70-yard hike, culminating in an 11-yard run by Kobee Thielen, cutting the Annandale lead to 14-6.