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Fertile-Beltrami’s Isaiah Wright rushes for 361 yards and seven TDs to send Falcons to state title game – Grand Forks Herald
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Fertile-Beltrami’s Isaiah Wright rushes for 361 yards and seven TDs to send Falcons to state title game – Grand Forks Herald

MINNEAPOLIS — Isaiah Wright’s remarkable senior season will end with the state championship game.

Fertile-Beltrami star turned in a spectacular performance, throwing for 361 yards and seven touchdowns as the Falcons defeated LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli 60-33 on Thursday in the Minnesota 9-man state semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Falcons improved to 12-0 and will play Hills-Beaver Creek for the state championship at 10 a.m. on Nov. 23 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Fertile-Beltrami finished the game with a 38-6 run. This included Wright’s 56- and 38-yard sprints.

Wright was asked how it felt to have the highest offensive total ever against a team as good as LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli.

He replied quickly and with a huge smile.

“It felt good,” he said.

He then elaborated on the matter, crediting everyone except himself.

“It came down to the calls of our coaching staff and certainly my offensive assistants and lead blockers,” Wright said. “None of what I do would be possible without them.”

LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli finished the game 12-1.

“It’s a terrible feeling,” coach Trevor Carrier said. “We can look at the journey, we can look at 12-1 and we can look at us getting to the Bank and all that is great. But saying goodbye today is probably the worst feeling I’ve had since I’ve been here. It’s going to be tough to say goodbye to these guys.”

When Carrier spoke at the post-game press conference, he was flanked by senior stars Camden Hungerholt, Ryder Stern and Carter Sweeney.

Hungerholt, a Mr. Football finalist who put up video game-like numbers this season, managing more than 2,000 yards in both rushing and passing, intermittently buried his head in a towel during the press conference.

Hungerholt, who will play at Minnesota State Mankato next season, had 162 yards rushing and 238 passing yards with three touchdowns and a 43-yard TD sprint.

For the first three quarters, it looked like whoever had the ball last between these two productive teams (both averaging better than 50 points per game this season) would win.

LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli led 27-22 at halftime.

Wright scored on touchdown runs of 43, 6 and 56 yards in the third quarter. He scored on a 38-yard run in the fourth quarter.

In addition to Wright, Jonah Harstad also rushed for 75 yards on 15 carries. Quarterback Easton Petry was 3-for-8 for 77 yards, including a 64-yard connection with Drew Gullickson.

As a team, Fertile-Beltrami defeated LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli 474-181.

Pat has been a Post Bulletin sports reporter since 1994. Rochester follows John Marshall football as well as various southeastern Minnesota football teams. My other southeast Minnesota high school beats include girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ tennis, boys’ and girls’ track and field, high school and American Legion baseball, volleyball, University of Minnesota sports (occasionally), and Timberwolves (occasionally). Readers can reach Pat at 507-285-7723 or [email protected].