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A spectacular running game propelled Sibley East’s footballers to victory Friday. The Wolverines capped homecoming week by galloping past Montgomery-Lonsdale 24-6 in Minnesota River Conference (MRC) play at Arlington.

Running back sets school record -

Senior running back Mason Matz highlighted action for Sibley East. He rushed for 252 yards (220 in first half) on 15 carries. That is being called “an unofficial school record,” according to Sibley East head coach Randy Walsh.

Matz scored all three touchdowns for the Wolverines. He reached paydirt on runs of 53, 80 and 10 yards. Ian Berg also scored for Sibley East. He kicked a 32-yard field goal just before halftime.

“This was by far our best game of the season,” coach Walsh said. “We found some things that worked for us and we stuck with them. Our offensive line did a great job of blocking and Mason [Matz] made some excellent moves to break free.”

Sibley East scored its first touchdown in the first quarter when Matz scampered in from 53 yards out. It came on the second possession of the game for the Wolverines. Berg kicked the extra point giving the black and gold an early 7-0 advantage.

It was off to the races again for Matz on Sibley East’s next offensive play. Early in the second quarter, the speedy running back went 80 yards for a touchdown pushing the Sibley East lead to 14-0.

The Wolverines scored on a third straight possession midway through the second period. A 40-yard run by Matz and a 31-yard completion from quarterback Eric Haefs to Scott Husfeldt set up the touchdown. Matz eventually scored on a 10-yard run.

Sibley East put a long drive together just before half. The 45-yard, 12 play drive resulted in a Berg field goal just before the break. The drive was highlighted by Derek Hahn’s 21-yard completion.

The Wolverines stuck to their ground attack and ate up much of the clock in the second half. They ran the ball on 18 of 20 second half plays.

Montgomery-Lonsdale managed to reach the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter after recovering a Sibley East fumble.

A three yard run capped a five play, 52-yard drive for the Redbirds. Montgomery-Lonsdale’s extra point attempt failed.

Sibley East finished the game with a season best 294 rushing yards. Montgomery-Lonsdale finished with 203 yards on the ground.

Matz’s 252 yards and three touchdowns led all players. Dan Bigaouette added 32 yards on nine carries for the Wolverines.

Quarterbacks Haefs and Erik Goetsch combined for four completions on nine attempts. Hahn led all Sibley East receivers with three catches.

Sibley East’s defense was led by Trevor Otto. The senior linebacker recorded a season high ten tackles.

Tyler Gasow and Cody Haefs added nine and eight tackles respectively for the Wolverines. Gasow also had a fumble recovery.

Other top Sibley East tacklers in the victory included: Husfeldt (7), Matz (6) and Brett Pioske (6).

Sibley East, 1-4 overall and 1-3 in the MRC, will play at Norwood Young America Friday. NYA, 2-3, fell to Holy Family last week 20-14 in overtime.