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September 16, 2021
Let’s Play Football
www.letsplayfootballmn.com
VIKINGS PREP SPOTLIGHT: Waconia 20, Robbinsdale Cooper 14
Robbinsdale Cooper senior QB Joe Russell, one of the better QBs in the metro, rolls out against Waconia. Russell threw for 294 yards and two scores in the game. He has tossed for 546 yards on the season and five touchdowns.
Waconia outlasts Robbinsdale Cooper at TCO Stadium
by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Co-Publisher, Let’s Play Football Max McEnelly had more than 230 all-purpose yards as Waconia outlasted Robbinsdale Cooper in front of a large crowd in the Minnesota Vikings Prep Spotlight game held at TCO Stadium Sept. 10. McEnelly scored two touchdowns to help lead the Wildcats over the Hawks 20-14. After a scoreless first quarter, Robbinsdale Cooper scored first when senior quarterback Joe Russell connected with senior wide receiver David Connors. An extra point by senior placekicker Leo Garcia made it 7-0 But the Wildcats rallied for two scores before the end of the half for a 14-7 lead. At the 7:04 mark sophomore QB Austin Randall hit senior wideout Sam Koppi for a 38-yard score. Tanner Micke drilled the extra point for a 7-7 tie. Then, with Cooper driving, Waconia came up with a huge turnover when Koppi picked off a Russell pass at the Cooper 44-yard line. McEnelly carried the ball several times eventually scoring on a 15-yard run with 1:27 left. Another Micke extra point gave the Wildcats a 14-7 lead. Waconia also received the ball at half time and didn’t waste much time as McEnelly raced in from 47 yards out for his second score of the game
and a 20-7 lead with 11:36 to play in the third quarter. Both defenses held each other at bay the rest of the quarter until Cooper broke a big play at the 10:35 mark of the fourth quarter. Russel connected once again with Connors, this time on a 79-yard score. Garcia’s kick brought the Hawks to within a touchdown. The Hawks had a chance to tie the game or take the lead midway through the quarter when they put together a strong drive from their 25-yard line all the way to Waconia’s 8-yard line. They were first and goal when a holding call brought them back to the 18-yard line. After two incomplete passes they connected on a 10-yard gain to set up a 4th and 8 from the 8-yard line. But Gage Mueller and Jorge Toledo sacked Russel for a loss and change of downs. Waconia suc-
Waconia’s Sam Koppi snares a one hander in the Wildcats 20-14 win over Robbinsdale Cooper in front of Cooper’s Jaxon Howard. Koppi had a touchdown catch and an interception in the game. cessfully ran out the clock to seal the 20-14 win. McEnelly finished with 174 yards rushing on 24 carries. The 200-pounder has 303 yards on the season and four touchdowns. Koppi led Waconia receivers with four catches for 69
yards, including the one touchdown. He also had the big interception that led to a score. Cooper’s Russell threw for 294 yards on 16-for-27 passing. Connors
PREP SPOTLIGHT continued on page 13
