SMB Wolfpack Swarms Past Spectrum Sting

The Spectrum Sting defense was seeing Redd Friday night as sophomore Sanjay Redd scored two touchdowns to highlight a 28 point second quarter that led the SMB Wolfpack to a 51-16 victory at Gordy Aamoth Jr. Stadium on the Blake School campus in Hopkins.

Spectrum, based in Elk River took the early lead on Elias Aberra's 66 yard run down the left side to put the Sting ahead 6-0.  Tack on the two point conversion and the lead vaulted to 8-0.  But that would be the only bright spot for Spectrum as the Wolfpack would even the score as quarterback Jalen Suggs on fourth down and seven kept the ball, changed directions and entered the end zone.  It would be 8-8 at the end of the first quarter.

SMB would put the game away in the second quarter with 28 straight points.  Suggs would prove that he is one of Minnesota's top high school athletes by turning two consecutive bad center snaps into outstanding plays.  The first turn what would be a double digit yard loss into an 11 yard game and the second, after being pursued by a swarm of white Sting jerseys, he fired a 17 yard pass to Caleb Hoilien to put the Wolfpack ahead 15-8.  SMB would get the ball back following a blocked punt recovered by Toby Jacobson at the Sting one yard line.  After a illegal procedure penalty sending them back five yards to the six, Redd ran the ball into the end zone.

It wasn't all offense for the combined team from St. Paul Academy, Minnehaha Academy and Blake.  Defense would also be a factor as they recovered a fumble at the Spectrum seven yard line and Redd would score his second touchdown with a seven yard run up the middle.  As soon as the Sting got the ball back, they lost it again on a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Michael Hall and he scored the touchdown to put the Wolfpack ahead 36-8 at halftime.

First year Wolfpack head coach Chris Goodwin took out Suggs and numerous starters in the second half with the game decided.  Elijah Wade would replace Suggs at quarterback and he would capitalize on a fourth down conversion with a 16 yard gain.  He would also cross the goal line after escaping a Spectrum tackle and scoring from 15 yards to increase the score to 44-8.

Another reserve would be credited with a touchdown as the game headed into the fourth quarter.  James Killilea would score on a four yard touchdown run and the Wolfpack led 51-8.  The Sting would end their lengthy scoring drought on Aberra's second touchdown in the final minute of the game, scoring from 38 yards.

The Wolfpack improved their record to 2-0 and will head to West St. Paul on Friday, September 13 to face the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders at 7 PM.  The Sting fell to 0-2 and will also be in action on the 13th, hosting the Fridley Tigers in a 4 PM start.