Kenyon-Wanamingo Tops Faribault Bethlehem Academy 17-14

Seems like a good way to start a rivalry. Neither coach could remember the last time their schools squared off in football. But there should be anticipation for the next one.

Kenyon-Wanamingo rallied from behind twice to defeat Bethlehem Academy 17-14 at Bruce Smith Field on Friday, Sept. 4. The winning points came on a 21-yard field goal from Knights sophomore Jack Buelke with 8:20 to go in the fourth quarter. KW had tied the game on a third-quarter touchdown run by junior Calvin Steberg. That drive started after a Cardinals fumble, one of their five turnovers on the night.

Bethlehem Academy led 14-7 at the half on a pair of touchdown runs by senior Peyton Glenzinski. The first of those after BA blocked a KW punt and started the drive at the Knights one-yard line.

Kenyon-Wanamingo scored their first-half TD on a 40-yard pass from senior Luke Rechtzigel to senior Jack Whipple on a fourth-down play in the second quarter. BA led 14-7 at the half.

Bethlehem Academy had two possessions after the tie-breaking field goal. One ended on downs the other on an interception. KW picked up a first down on the final drive of the game and burned out the clock.

KW senior left guard Ethan Benda was named the Kenyon Holden Warsaw Insurance Agency offensive lineman of the game. The Knights frequently ran plays his way and he recovered a fumble by his teammate in the first half.

BA sophomore Alex Bongers was the State Farm Insurance agents of Faribault Tony Langerud and Jason Krohn player of the game. Bongers picked up the blocked punt in the first half and nearly took it into the end zone. He made many tackles on defense and is the Cardinals center on offense.

The teams have played in different conferences in the past but are in the same district now.

Bethlehem Academy (2-1, 1-1) plays at Medford on Friday, Sept. 11, with the coverage on KDHL AM 920. Kenyon-Wanamingo (2-1, 2-0) will host Mankato Loyola on Friday night. The Knights play four of their final five games at home.

Other games in the Mid Southeast District, west division Friday were Loyola 41, Medford 14; Blooming Prairie 24, St. Clair 3; and United South Central 24, JWP 19.