Willmar Cardinals Surge with 55-7 Victory Over Detroit Lakes
UPDATE: The Willmar Cardinals flipped the game’s momentum in just 10 seconds, delivering a stunning turnaround to defeat the Detroit Lakes Lakers 55-7 in a high-stakes matchup on Friday at Hodapp Field.
Trailing 7-0 late in the second quarter, the Cardinals exploded with two quick touchdowns, starting with a remarkable 66-yard touchdown run by Hudson Sjoberg with just 2:33 remaining. On the following kickoff, Lawson Anez stripped the ball and dashed 25 yards to score, transforming a desperate situation into a commanding lead within moments.
“We’re happy about how we responded tonight,” said Willmar head coach Jon Konold. “We have to be ready at the beginning of games.”
With this victory, the Cardinals improve their record to 4-3, while the Lakers drop to 1-6 after a rough outing. The Cardinals scored an impressive 55 unanswered points following the Lakers’ initial touchdown.
Detroit Lakes struck first with a strong opening drive, covering 76 yards in 13 plays that ended with an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jude Houglum to Dawson VonRuden. However, the Cardinals quickly adjusted and made key plays that would alter the course of the game.
Konold acknowledged the slow start, attributing early struggles to a lack of readiness and overcomplicating plays. “Our guys didn’t come ready to play and then we tried to get a little fancy,” he said, emphasizing the need to simplify the game plan.
As the game progressed, the Cardinals made crucial defensive plays, including a timely pass breakup by Jordan Ellingson that halted a promising Lakers’ drive deep in their territory. “That was a huge play by him,” Konold noted, highlighting Ellingson’s pivotal role.
After tying the game, Sjoberg continued to shine, scoring another four-yard touchdown just before halftime, bringing the score to 21-7.
The Cardinals’ ground game dominated, amassing a total of 268 yards on 35 attempts, with Sjoberg leading the charge with 148 yards on 16 carries. The scoring frenzy continued into the second half, as Willmar added touchdowns from Briar Schuett, Sjoberg, and Isaac Cayler, pushing the score to 41-7 by the end of the third quarter.
Ellingson also contributed through the air, completing 7 of 12 passes for 117 yards, while Cayler caught two passes for 69 yards. The Cardinals’ backups capped off the night with additional touchdowns from Jake DeBoer and Jude Huselid, solidifying their dominance.
The Lakers struggled offensively, with Ryan Francis leading their ground game with 60 yards on 18 carries. Houglum finished with 90 yards passing, but the Cardinals’ defense proved too tough, limiting their scoring opportunities.
As Willmar gears up for their final regular season game against Big Lake on Wednesday at 6 p.m., Coach Konold emphasized the need for recovery and focus. “We got to get our guys healthy and rested and get locked in for Wednesday night,” he stated, looking ahead to continue the momentum from this impressive win.
With this decisive victory, the Willmar Cardinals are poised for a strong finish to the season, showcasing their ability to adapt and overcome challenges on the field.
