Bethlehem Academy Football Hangs with Mayer Lutheran

The Class A #9 ranked Mayer Lutheran Crusaders spoiled the Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinal homecoming Friday night with a 14-7 win.

Two big plays were the difference in the football game.

Faribault Bethlehem Academy Head Coach Dennis Glenzinski told KDHL following the loss he was proud of his defense in the hard fought loss.

Mayer Lutheran scored on two of their first three possessions of the game on touchdown passes of 61 yards and 20 yards.

The Cardinals score came when junior Zach Van Thomme blocked a punt in the end zone and it was recovered by senior Nathaniel Bauernfeind.  That came with 41 seconds to go in the third quarter.

Bethlehem Academy had their chances to tie the game.

Midway through the fourth quarter they started a drive at the 50 yard line but they couldn't get a first down or a big play thanks to a sound Crusader defense.

Mayer Lutheran senior linebacker and fullback Matt Menth, 5'10 205 pounds, was plugging up holes like a caulking gun play after play.

The Crusaders are now 6-0 and appear to have what it takes to make a deep run in the playoffs.

6'5 180 pound junior quarterback Baden Noennig has a very good arm when given time and notched a few first downs on sneaks showing his toughness.

6'2 200 pound sophomore tailback Zander Flucas gives defenses all they want to handle all night along with the 205 pound Menth being the perfect compliment in the backfield.

Bethlehem Academy is now 3-3 and faces a very good Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity team on the road Friday before finishing their season at home Wednesday, October 18 against St. Clair.

Mayer Lutheran travels to Blooming Prairie next Friday and hosts Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity on the Wednesday of MEA week.

For the first time in his 25 years as Activities Director at Bethlehem Academy Ed Friesen had to cancel the homecoming parade.  Here was one of the floats.

Homecoming wouldn't be the same without the toilet papering of homes.