The Faribault Falcons led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter of their game with Rochester John Marshall Friday night in Rochester. The Rockets eventually imposed their will on the Falcons and won 43-13.

The loss left the defending Section 1 Class 5A champions winless this season on the football field, but head coach Ned Louis says forget that, "These guys are winners."

Louis said he encountered, "A wow moment" before the game when John Marshall head coach Kevin Kirkeby told him his team members wanted to do something to help the injured Faribault football players and raised more than $1,000 for the four families.

Louis asked Kirkeby if he could address the Rocket team after the game. When the game was over each coach had their respective huddles with their team. Then Louis went to the other end of the field to address the Rocket team and the entire Faribault team ran to the other end to join him. Huddling together, they thanked the Rockets for their generous gesture.

It brought tears to my eyes and I had a hunch that's what they were doing. Louis told me about the Rocket team fundraising during our Tom's Lock and Key keys to the game interview, but didn't tell me he was going to address the Rochester team.

The two teams just got done going toe to toe in a physical football game and when it was over, set that aside for something more important, the healing of hearts.

Louis said he was so proud of his team because the gesture by John Marshall showed respect for his squad and the way they do things on and off the gridiron.

An automobile accident the previous week left four Faribault team members in the hospital. All are expected to recover. Louis told KDHL on the Faribault Coaches Show at Bashers on Saturday only Alex Linse remains in the hospital. Henry Sanchez, Chase Ernste and Lamont Anderson are all home and he hoped they could attend the Homecoming pep fest next week.

"That would be a huge boost," he said.

Louis noted these young men were learning to be good teammates. When injuries happen the next man up tries to help the team. He said the four injured players were always on their mind and the team was motivated to play for their comrades and themselves. "That's what team is all about."

Eventually the lesson can also be translated to life, being there for your friends and family.

Concerning the less important football game:

With 1:42 to go in the first quarter, junior quarterback Kade Hart hit senior receiver Winfield Hunter in the end zone and junior kicker Eric Gannon kicked the extra point.

This came after John Marshall was unable to move the ball against Faribault in their first two possessions. The Rockets started the game with the football at their own 35 and after penalties ended up punting from their own end zone.

A short punt gave Faribault the ball at the John Marshall 24 to start their first drive, but they were unable to put any points on the board.

When the second quarter began it was like a switch flipped for John Marshall and they scored on their final three possessions of the half, the last coming with 52.2 seconds to go.

Faribault got the ball to start the second half and on their first series picked up one first down on a 14-yard pass from Hart to Hunter. It would be their last connection. Hunter would leave the game after retweeking his ankle.

Junior running back Felipe Ramirez would also retweek an ankle in the contest.

Faribault's second TD was scored by sophomore Dylan O'Neil on an impressive 18-yard run with 10:55 to go in the game.

The Rockets scored three more touchdowns in the second half on runs of 15 yards, nine yards and six yards.

Faribault hosts unbeaten Winona for homecoming next week and Louis hopes Bruce Smith Field is packed in support of this team of "great kids with great attitudes playing their hearts out for each other."

If you can't be there, I'll have the game on Power 96 Radio, 95.9FM. You can also listen worldwide at power96radio.com or by downloading the free RadioPup app on your favorite mobile device.

Faribault and John Marshall Football Teams Huddle
Faribault and John Marshall Football Teams Huddle
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