The Annandale Cardinals have been knocking on the door to the state championship in Class AAA since the 2020 COVID year. That season the Cards finished #1 in AAA, but there were no playoffs due to the COVID pandemic. In 2021, Dassel-Cokato knocked them out in the state semifinals. In 2023, the Cards lost in the state championship game to Stewartville, and last year lost in the state quarterfinals to Pequot Lakes.
Expectations were high this season, as the Cards came in ranked #1 in Class AAA. They stayed that way the whole year! Despite playing with that kind of pressure, the Cards trailed for five minutes the whole season! That was against #3AAA Holy Family in the fifth game of the season. The Fire kicked a field goal just before halftime to go ahead 10-9. The Cards scored on their first drive of the second half, and won the game, 30-10.
The final eight games of the season, Annandale did not trail for even one second! During the regular season, Annandale allowed three touchdowns from their starting defense in eight games. The offense averaged 45 points per game, and their average margin of victory was 40 ppg, #1 in the state.
Colton Purcell, above in white, with one of his Prep Bowl tying three interceptions.
The Cards received the #1 seed in Section 5AAA, and after a bye, shutout Pine City, 66-0. Annandale did not allow a first down the whole game! In the Section finals, Annandale jumped out to a 37-0 lead over Foley, and cruised to the section championship, 37-14.
The first round of state, the Cards received a scare from their archrival Litchfield. On a cold, windy night in Rocori, Annandale jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter, but Litch didn’t go away, only trailing 12-7 going into the fourth quarter, before Isiah Turner scored on a toss play to clinch the win for Annandale, 19-7.
In the state semifinals, Annandale went up against the high-octane offense of Minneapolis North. Annandale’s Colton Purcell caught a couple of TDs in the first half, and the Cards led 29-14 late in the third quarter when Sophomore LB Rylan Horsch made the play of the game. With North knocking on the door of the Cards end zone, Horsch jumped an out route and returned it to mid field, basically clinching the win for Annandale. The Cards went on to win, 36-20, setting up a winner take all final, between undefeated Waseca, and undefeated Annandale.
Gabe Westman, above, caught two TD passes in the Cards state championship game victory.
The Cards struck first in the championship on Saturday, November 22nd, at the US Bank Stadium on a 25-yard TD pass from Michael Kovall on a perfectly executed go route by Gabe Westman. The Cards were driving again late in the second quarter, but after the drive stalled out, Cam Helget came through with a 25-yard field goal, giving Annandale a 10-0 halftime lead. Things got interesting on the first drive of the third quarter as Waseca went 75 yards and scored on a 1-yard QB sneak from Kellen Klingler.
After a three and out and a shanked punt by Annandale the Bluejays started at the Annandale 39-yard line, but after a sack by Ben Walter, the Jays had to punt. On the next possession the Cards dropped the dagger on Waseca. On third and five, QB Braylon Fobbe threw a backward pass in the left flat to Colton Purcell. Purcell than launched bomb down the left sideline to a wide-open Gabe Westman, Westman strolled into the end zone, making it 17-7 Annandale. The Jays never really threated again as Purcell ended two of the Jays fourth quarter drive.
On the day, Purcell tied a Prep Bowl record with three interceptions. After an interception by Cam Helget, the Cards just needed to kneel it down a few times, and they could celebrate their first state championship in school history in football!
Ben Walter, above #52, celebrates the Cards first state championship in football in school history.
Here are the Seniors that are graduating this season for Annandale. Congrats to all of them, for their state championship season.
Annandale players, above, rush over to their student section after winning the state championship on Saturday.
The Annandale Senior Captains, above, from left to right. #62 Owen Pederson, #41 Isiah Turner, #52 Ben Walter, and #22 Cam Ergen.
In Numerical order.
#1 Gabe Westman WR/CB. Caught two TDs in state title game. Headed to Winona St.
#4 Jackson Neutz, WR. 15-yard kick return in state semifinals.
#7 Michael Kovall, QB. Tossed four TD’s during the state tournament.
#9 Cam Helget, LB. Had two picks in state tournament, including title clinching one against Waseca.
#13 Carter Pogatchnik, S. Awarded outstanding teammate by MSHSL after championship.
#17 Lincoln Adams, WR. Helped with his role as WR/CB on the scout team.
#22 Cam Ergen, RB. Rushed for 118 yards and a TD in semifinal win over North.
#33 Caden Schimelpfenig, LB. Had two tackles in state championship game.
#41 Isiah Turner, WR/RB. Combined for 190 total yards and two TDs in semifinals and final
#51 Keagan Grube, LB/OL. 31 tackles in three state tournament games.
#52 Ben Walter, DL/OL. Team leader. Had a TFL and led pass rush at state.
#62 Owen Pederson, OL/DL. Had a sack in state championship game.
#67 Alex Reitmeier, OL. Helped prepare D line on scout team.
#74 Charlie Peterson, OL. Started for the Cards on a dominant o line.
#77 Brodye Patch, OL/DL. Emotional leader of the team. Started on O and D line.
Annandale fans celebrate the Cards state championship along with the team.
Annandale should have another strong team next season. Here are the Juniors and Sophomores that started this season and are projected to be players to watch next season.
In numerical order:
#3 Cooper Broman, WR/CB, Jr. Started every game at slot receiver, and nine games at corner.
#6 Colton Purcell. WR/S, Jr. Scored two TDs in semifinals, then tossed a TD and recorded three picks in championship, tying a state record.
#10 Dom Dircks, OLB, Jr. Started at outside linebacker.
#11 Tavin Long, CB, Jr. Played his best while starting in state tournament at corner. Started every game at corner this fall.
#12 Braylon Fobbe, QB, Jr. Split time with Kovall at QB, part of one two combo. Threw two TDs in state tournament.
#19 Noah Elam, S, Jr. Tip pass in championship, was one of the biggest plays in the game.
#24 Josiah Turner, WR. Kick returner this past fall and should contribute a lot next season in various roles.
#34 Rylan Horsch, RB/LB, So. Exploded onto the scene. DI potential at both RB and LB.
#54 Adam Klatt, OL/DL, Jr. Immoveable object on D line, with quick feet.
#72 Kane Fobbe, OL, Jr. Fobbe started every game on the o line.
Here, above, are the Juniors that are coming back next year to defend their state championship.
