Chaska Hawks-SLP Orioles Football Preview

 The 2022 high school football regular season wraps up Wednesday night as the St. Louis Park Orioles host the Chaska Hawks.  

In their last two games, the Hawks tallied 35 points in victories against the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders and the Orono Spartans.  Not so last Friday against the team that's very likely to be the top seed in St. Louis Park's section, the Armstrong Falcons.  Chaska broke a 7-7 tie on Reese Turner's second quarter touchdown that would eventually be the game winner since the scoreboard result remained stationery in the second half.  The Hawks improved their record to 5-2 with a 14-7 win over the Falcons.  Turner had 34 carries for 140 yards, the highest total since he gained 235 yards against Orono the previous week.  

The keys to the game for Chaska are for Turner to have another outstanding ground game and for quarter back Jamarrius Courtney to be a dual threat like he was most of the season.  He has rushed for four touchdowns against Benilde-St. Margaret's and Cretin Derham Hall.  

As for St. Louis Park, last Friday's game was very Munsterlike, just like the dark and gloomy weather.  The Orioles were washed out by the Waconia Wildcats 55-7.  The St. Louis Park defense was decimated by Max McEnelly's 272 yard performance that also included four trips to the end zone.  St. Louis Park was also minus Declan Gaines for the second straight week due to a concussion, so Stefano Giovannelli ran the Oriole offense.  Giovannelli did not fare well, completing five of 18 passes for 43 yards.  St. Louis Park's only touchdown came from AJ Foster, who led the Orioles with 15 carries for 53 yards.  There was one bright spot on defense as Zach Helfmann recorded 15 tackles.  

The keys to the game for St. Louis Park.  Will this be the week Gaines returns?  Foster has to continue his momentum from Waconia and the defense needs to slow down Courtney and Turner.  

The weather picture for Wednesday should be a little better with the high temperature around 50 degrees.  Dress warm for the regular season finale.  Game time is 7 PM.  

SLP Orioles-Waconia Wildcats Football Preview

 Friday night will be the final road game of the regular season for the St. Louis Park Orioles as they head down Highway 5 to take on the first of two straight Carver County opponents, the Waconia Wildcats.  

Last week's Homecoming game wasn't a happy one for the Orioles as they fell to the Holy Angels Stars 34-8 to bring their record to 2-4.  St. Louis Park was minus their starting quarterback Declan Gaines who was sidelined due to a concussion.  So who would step in to run the Oriole offense?  The answer, Stefano Giovannelli.  Giovannelli's inexperience at quarterback showed through most of the game as he completed five of 16 passes for 56 yards and was intercepted twice.  But there were a couple of bright spots for the Oriole senior.  He ran 13 times for 79 yards and threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Teddy Dahlin.  On defense, Tony Kruse recorded nine tackles and Mason Amelse had seven plus the game's lone interception.  

The keys to the game for St. Louis Park:  Will Gaines return at quarterback?  If not, will Giovannelli get another chance to prove himself as the Orioles signal caller?  Also, the defense needs to slow down the high powered Waconia offense.  

That leads to a look at the Wildcats, who came up shot last Friday against their Carver County rival, the Chanhassen Storm 37-35.  You'll need only two words to describe the Waconia offense, Max McEnelly.  He made three trips to the end zone against the Storm and ran for 175 yards, giving him 1,137 yards this season along with 17 touchdowns.  McEnelly will head to Minnesota next season and join the wrestling team.  Come on PJ Fleck.  You've got to get him out for football in 2023, you could use him next season when Mo Ibrahim graduates.  On defense, McEnelly also excels, recording eight tackles.  BBrayden Kaczmarek led the Wildcat defense with 10 tackles and Tate McDonald had an interception.  

The keys to the game for Waconia are for McEnelly to have another stellar game and wear down the St. Louis Park defense and the Wildcat defense has got to slow down whover is calling the signals.  

The weather picture is going to be a chilly one on Friday, with temperatures in the 40s.  If you plan to make the trip to Waconia, bring your winter coat as well as a blanket.  Game time is 7 PM.  

Wayzata Trojans Sweep Minnetonka Skippers

 The high school sports week began Monday night with the defending Class AAAA champion Wayzata Trojans facing their Lake Conference rival, the host Minnetonka Skippers.  The Trojans held off a ferocious Skipper offense in the second set to sweep Minnetonka three sets to none.  

Both teams would trade leads in the first set before the Trojans went up 5-3.  But the Skippers would battle back to eventually tie the set at ten.  Wayzata would get a couple of service aces from Bianca Nistor and played strong defense with three players on the right side of the net to take the first set 25-16.  

In the second set, the Trojans would jump out to an early lead as a result of Skipper attackers putting too much spin on the ball.  Minnetonka head coach Karl Katzenberger called time out and they would bounce back to take a 12-11 lead. Defense would keep the Skippers in the set on Keely Campuzano's right side block.  The lead would go back and forth like a pendulum on a grandfather clock.  Whenever both teams had a set point, the score would be tied.  It would continue in that manner until Olivia Swenson's kill spart Wayzata to a 29-27 victory.  

Fatigue from a grueling second set would begin to plague Minnetonka in the third set as Wayzata jumped out to a 5-0 lead and they would never look back as defense once again factored into the equation thanks to a block from Stella Swenson and Reilly Kurth that helped the Trojans wrap up the match 25-16.  

Wayzata improved their record to 22-3 and will host the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars on Thursday, October 13 at 7 PM.  Minnetonka fell to 15-11 and will also be in action on the 13th, wrapping up the regular season hosting the Buffalo Bison at 7 PM.  

Prior to the start of the match, HSGN caught up with former Hopkins head coach Vicki Swenson, who was interviewed in a previous story for the late examiner.com.  Her twin daughters, juniors Olivia and Stella committed to the University of Minnesota.  

Swenson described the Gopher coaching staff, led by Hugh McCutcheon as such a great coaching staff.  "The best in the country."  

Swenson, who retired from coaching in 2020 coached against Wayzata head coach Scott Jackson numerous times.  "i have a great deal of respect for him," Swenson said.  She also commented on the Trojans 65 match winning streak that was ended by the Northfield Raiders,  "Let's be honest, there's a lot of pressure and I don't know if it will be matched for a long, long time.  

She also gave an update on her oldest daughter Samantha, who was a four year setter with Minnesota.  Samantha played professionally for two years in France and is now married to an Italian professional volleyball player.  she's also the mother of six month old Luca.  

Wrapping up the interview, Swenson mentioned that the state of high school volleyball in Minnesota has a lot of parity and the level of play has increased.  

Minneapolis Washburn Millers and SLP Orioles Split Regular Season Finale

One goal was enough to decide the regular season soccer finales Saturday afternoon for both the Minneapolis Washburn Millers and the host St. Louis Park Orioles with the Millers winning the girls game and the Orioles coming though in the second overtime in the boys game.  

Though the first game was played in a chilly environment, the Washburn Miller offense heated up early as Sydney Ruckett fired a rocket shot into the net in the first half to lead them to a 1-0 win over the St. Louis Park Orioles.  

Rockett got into position on the right side of the Oriole net and fired a shot from the 15 yard line that landed in the goal.  The Washburn sophomore almost scored her second goal when she was awarded a free kick.  She would go up against a three player St. Louis Park wall, set the ball aloft with her right foot and the Orioles Vesna Dennison made the block.  

The Millers ended their regular season with a record of 10-5 and the Orioles finished with a record of 3-10-1.  Section 6AAA play gets underway Thursday, October 13.  

Heading into the boys game, the weather picture was getting warmer and it looked like the regular season would end in a scoreless tie.  But wait.  The St. Louis Park Orioles would count their blessings of finishing the regular season on a winning note, thanks to Bjorn Bleske's game winning goal with :28.5 left in overtime to lead the St. Louis Park Orioles to a 1-0 win over the Minneapolis Washburn Millers.  

There would be no scoring in the first half but it looked like the Orioles would win the game in regulation time as Abdi Abdullahi had an open net ahead but his shot was blocked by Miller goalkeeper.  Grayson Pickar.  On to a pair of five minute, non sudden death overtimes.  

The time would tick away in the overtime periods and it looked like neither team would send the ball over the goal line.  That wouldn't be the case as Bleske lined a shot from the center slot and landed past Pickar with :28.5 left in the second overtime. 

The Orioles ended their regular season with a record of 5-4-4 and open Section 6AAA tournament competition Thursday, October 13.  The Millers fell to 9-5 and will host the annual Twin City game against the St. Paul Central Minutemen on Monday, October 10 at 5 PM.  

Holy Angels Stars Dims SLP Orioles Homecoming

 The stadium bleachers were packed on a chilly Friday night for the St. Louis Park Orioles Homecoming football game but it was Aaron Boarman who spoiled the celebrations with two touchdown passes to lead the Holy Angels Stars to a 34-8 win.

A trick play from Stars head coach Jim Gunderson would result in Ryan McGuire heading to the end zone from four yards after the Orioles came up short on downs.  

Holy Angels would add another touchdown in the second quarter as Boarman threw an 11 yard pass to Jacob Pung with :14.6 left in the half and the Stars led at halftime 14-0.  

In the third quarter, the Stars would shine in the end zone twice.  The first came on a beautifully thrown 50 yard touchdown pass to Charles Gilbert III.  They would increase their lead to 28 on Joe Miller's 14 yard run.  

Holy Angels was not finished in the fourth quarter.  Miller muscled his way through the St. Louis Park defense and went into the end zone from six yards.  There would be no shutout for the Orioles as the weather picture got colder.  Stefano Giovannelli, making his debut at quarterback with Declan Gaines out due to a concussion, struggled throughout the game with two interceptions but he would throw his touchdown pass, and 11 yard strike to Teddy Dahlen with 1:04 to play.

The Stars improved their record to 5-1 and will head to Chanhassen on Friday, October 14 to take on the Storm at 7 PM.  The Orioles fell to 2-4 and also returns to action on the 14th, heading down Highway 5 to Waconia for a 7 PM game against the Wildcats.  

An Overtime Sweep for Orono Spartans

 It was a chilly Senior Night for the St. Louis Park soccer teams as they played a couple of overtime time games against the Orono Spartans with the boys losing 3-2 and the girls coming up short 1-0. 

First up was the boys game as the St. Louis Park Orioles were on the verge of an upset against the top ranked team in Class AA the Orono Spartans. But two late goals, including the game winner from Avery  Anderson 1:17 into overtime led the Spartans to a 3-2 win.  

The first half looked like it was going to be a scoreless deadlock until the Orioles John Ryan was awarded a penalty kick.  He put the ball past Spartan goalkeeper Adam Trongard with :08.5 left in the half to give St. Louis Park a 1-0 halftime lead.  

Orono would erase the St. Louis Park lead on Tierman Bonner's goal.  The Orioles regained the lead as Tyler Puentes fed Bjorn Bleske in the center slot and he sent it to the net.  The Spartans would even the score on Franklin Schwendimann's left side goal with 4:39 left in regulation time.  Could St. Louis Park pull off the upset?  They almost did but Lucas Tangleson's shot bounced off the crossbar and the game would head into overtime.  

It wouldn't take long for Orono to clinch the win when Anderson scored from the left side 1:17 into overtime.  Neither team would tally the rest of the way.  

The Spartans improved their record to 14-0-0 and ends their season on Saturday, October 8 in Hopkins as they face the Blake Bears at 1 PM.  The Orioles fell to 4-4-4 and will also wrap up their season on the 8th, hosting the Minneapolis Washburn Millers at noon.  

On to the girls game and what looked like a game that would end in a scoreless tie would not be the case, thanks to Kayla Kallenbach's game winning goal 1:01 in the second overtime period that led the Orono Spartans to a 1-0 win over the St. Louis Park Orioles.  

In the first half, the Orioles almost took the lead but Vesna Dennison's goal was disallowed.  Both team had scoring chances but came up empty and so the game would go into overtime.  

Heading into overtime, there were still zeros on the scoreboard.  But in the second overtime, Kallenbach would tally 1:01 in the period to secure the victory.  

The Spartans improved their record to 7-8 and will head to Hopkins on Saturday, October 8 to take on the Blake Bears at 11 AM.  The Orioles fell to 3-9-1 and also concludes their season on the 8th, hosting the Minneapolis Washburn Millers at 10 AM.  

Holy Angels Stars-SLP Orioles Football Preview

 John Denver couldn't have put it better for the St. Louis Park Orioles that it's good to be back home again.  After two road games, the Orioles are back at their home stadium for the annual Homecoming game against the Holy Angels Stars.  

The Stars will play their second straight game against a St. Louis Park based opponent.  Last Friday, Holy Angels battered the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights 41-7 to improve their record to 4-1.  Their only loss was to the Cooper Hawks 33-26 on September 23.  The Stars offense hasn't been a bore this season with quarterback Aaron Boarman completing 13 of 15 passes against BSM for 237 yards and rushing for 95 yards that included two trips to the end zone.  He comes into the game needing 197 passing yards to reach 1000 for the season.  But the offense isn't just Boarman.  Also in the backfield is Reid Davenport, who scored a touchdown last week.  Boarman's top receiver is Charles Gilbert III, who reached the end zone twice against the Red Knights.  The Stars defense had eight tackles last week by Damian Devine and Ryan McGuire.  

The key to the game for the Stars is for Boarman to be a dual threat like last week against BSM.  He's had three games with two touchdowns.  Could he make it four against St. Louis Park.

If you attended last week's game between St. Louis Park and the Orono Spartans, you would have probably headed toward Highway 12 at the end of the first quarter.  At that point, the Orioles were in a massive hole, trailing 28-0 and ended up falling to the Spartans 52-6.  The only touchdown was scored by Stefano Giovannelli.  The St. Thomas bound senior, usually a receiver, ran 67 yards for St. Louis Park's only touchdown.  The Orioles were plagued by turnovers and an ineffective game from quarterback Declan Gaines as he completed 5 of 11 passes for 36 yards.  Jimmy Hager, who ran for 163 yards against BSM, was held to 49 yards.  There was a bright spot on defense in Zach Helfmann as he recorded 13 tackles.  

The key to the game for the Orioles is to get the offense back on track and put pressure on Boarman.  

A couple of things to be aware of if you plan on attending the game.  The weather picture is going to be a chilly one with the temperature in the mid 40s so get your winter jacket out of storage.  And since it's Homecoming, you might want to get to the game early to get a good seat.  Game time is 7 PM.