Bethlehem Academy Football Edges Winona Cotter 27-26

The Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinal football team finished their regular season with a thrilling 27-26 win over Winona Cotter at Bruce Smith Field in Faribault Wednesday night.

The game was tied at 14 at the half.  An Eliot Smith point after kick proved to be the difference in the game.  Junior Brady Strodtman had 3 scores running and one receiving in the game for the Cardinals.

The statistics were as close as the score with the Ramblers amassing 336 total yards to the Cardinals 327.  Cotter threw for 276 yards and ran for 59 yards while Bethlehem Academy ran for 273 yards and threew for 54 yards.  Each team had 3 turnovers.

Winona Cotter started the scoring with 5:27 to go in the first quarter on a 25 yard pass.  The extra point kick was blocked.  With 36 ticks to go in the quarter Strodtman would run for a 7 yard score.  Smith was successful with the extra point kick.  It was 7-6 BA.

In the second quarter senior quarterback Bo Dienst threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to Strodtman with 6:13 to go in the first half.  Smith was successful on the extra point kick again.

The Ramblers answered with a 10 yard touchdown pass with 90 seconds to go in the half.  A two point conversion was scored on a pass to make it 14 all at the half.

Cotter scored with 6:59 to go in the third quarter on a 41 yard pass.  A two point conversion attempted run failed.

Strodtman scored with 3:31 to go in the third period on a 15 yard run.  Smith converted on the extra point kick.

With 91 seconds to go in the game Strodtman scored again on a 3 yard dive into the end zone.  Smith's extra point kick was blocked.

With 7 seconds left the Rambers scored on a 24 yard touchdown pass.  Winona Cotter then went for two points and the win and failed on a pass attempt.

The Ramblers had 20 first downs, Bethlehem Academy 19.

Winona Cotter was 8 of 11 on third down conversions, BA 6 of 12.  The Cardinals were 2 of 5 on 4th down conversions, Ramblers 0 for 2.

Strodtman finished the night with 245 yards on 38 carries.

Senior Riley Kangas led the Bethlehem Academy defense with 6 tackles, 5 solo.  Eliot Smith had 5.5, Strodtman 5. The Cardinals Henry Schoolmeesters collected a sack.  Smith and Matt Twaites combined for a sack.

The Cardinals finish their regular season with a 2-4 record.  Playoffs are scheduled to begin Tuesday.