The Eskomos are preparing to play in the state semifinal game for the first time since 1992. Practice was shifted to the morning two days this week because many of the coaches have parent-teacher conferences in the evenings. In addition, winter sports practices are starting, making this week’s practices for Esko “anything but normal,” according to coach Scott Arntson.
While the practice schedule is certainly not the norm for the Eskomos, it’s just another challenge in a season full of them, according to senior cornerback Brett Lillo.
“Practice is practice,” Lillo said. “No matter when practice is or however we can fit it, we have to come in and get things done to be ready to go for the game.”
Esko advanced to the state semifinals with a thrilling win over New London-Spicer Saturday in Brainerd. Quarterback Ty Christensen found Carter Zezulka in the end zone with 16 seconds remaining to lift the Eskomos to a 28-21 win.
PREVIOUSLY: Prep state football: Zezulka lifts Esko in state quarterfinal
Esko’s Makoi Perich intercepts the ball against New London-Spicer Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, during the Class AAA state tournament quarterfinals in Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
Despite three interceptions in the first half by Wildcats’ quarterback Kyle Doty, Esko was unable to move the ball and trailed 7-0 at halftime.
“We had to adjust,” Arntson said after the game. “We did a lot more shore passing and things like that, trying to spread them out before we hit the middle. We just changed some formations and how we did some things to open it up.”
The changes worked, with Christensen finding Zezulka and Kade Gonsorowski for long passes of 28 and 48 yards, respectively, to set up two Eskomo scores in the final 6 minutes of the game.
Esko (12-0) will have a monumental challenge when they line up for the Minnesota Class AAA semifinal against Dassel-Cokato at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The Chargers dominated Fairmont 41-13 in their quarterfinal matchup and were the runners up in 2019 to Pierz, the last time the state tournament was held.
“They’re like the Alabama of AAA football here,” Arntson said.
Dassel-Cokato (12-0) has averaged nearly 370 yards rushing per game this season and topped New London-Spicer, the teams’ only mutual opponent, 41-7 in the regular season. Arntson knows the Chargers’ rushing attack is going to be a challenge, but he thinks his defense is up to the task. The Eskomos have recorded five shutouts already this season, including a 55-0 win over Class AAAAA Duluth East in their regular season finale.
Esko’s Mason Perich and teammates celebrate after Perich intercepted the ball against New London-Spicer Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, during the Class 3A state tournament quarterfinals in Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch
“The defense has been the strength of our team the entire year, no doubt about it,” Arntson said. “Them and special teams have really done a great job for us this year. There were times when we scored a lot of points, but if you look closely, we had a special teams touchdown or the defense might have put us in a good situation.”
The Chargers ground game is led by Eli Gillman, University of Montana recruit who had 243 yards and four touchdowns in the victory over Fairmont.
“Obviously, he’s a good player and they’re a good team,” Lillo said. “But we’re also a good team. We’ve just got to prepare like any other game, come ready to play and just give it our all.”
Arntson said offensively the Eskomos are working to install a few “wrinkles” this week, but they still want to do the things that got them to the semifinal in the first place.
“We talked about it before being a balance,” Arntson said. “We want enough plays that we have options to go to, but we can have so many that we can’t execute. So offensively, we’re always trying to find that balance.”
The Eskomos are thrilled to be playing at U.S. Bank Stadium and can’t wait to take the field Saturday, according to Lillo.
“It’s a dream come true, it’s awesome,” Lillo said. “I’ve been dreaming about it since we were little. For it to be our senior year and we finally get a chance to do it, we’re going to try and show what we’re all about.”
Esko 0-0-14-14—28
New London-Spicer 7-0-7-7—21
NLS — Brycen Christensen 32 pass from Kyle Doty (Gabe Rohman kick)
E — Makoi Perich 13 run (Wyatt Stankiewicz kick)
E — Carter Zezulka 50 interception return (Stankiewicz kick)
NLS — Peyton Coahran 31 pass from Doty (Rohman kick)
NLS — Mason Delzer 2 run (Rohman kick)
E — Joey Antonutti 2 run (Stankiewicz kick)
E — Zezulka 11 pass from Ty Christensen (Stankiewicz kick)
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