Alewelt’s field goal seals Rockets’ title
DeKALB — Clay Alewelt isn’t called on to kick many field goals. The Rochester kicker had attempted only two all season before making a 24- yarder as time expired to give the Rockets a 24- 21win againstMorris in the Class 4A state title game Friday at Huskie Stadium.
“I just tried to treat it like an extra- point, like every other kick,” said Alewelt, a sophomore. “I didn’t know it was good right away, not until people started screaming. Before that I had no idea.”
“The kid made the state- winning field goal. You have to give him credit,” Morris coachAlan Thorson said. “You have to give all of Rochester a lot of credit, congrats to them. We knew we had a tough task ahead of us, but this team has a lot of heart. We really believed we could win this game all the way to the end.”
Rochester ( 14- 0) averages 48 points per game and entered as the heavy favorite. Its previous scoring low this season was 31 points in the semifinals against Highland. The Rockets have won the 4A crown in seven of the last eight seasons. But the Redskins ( 11- 3) hung tough and only trailed 14- 9 at halftime.
“Overall, the defense did everything we asked them to do,” Thorson said.
Morris tied the score with 4: 02 to play on a four- yard pass from Mitch Mayberry to Tyler Spiezio. But the Redskins’ defense wasn’t able to stop the Rockets on the final drive.
“It’s never all right if you don’t win,” Morris senior Kameron Dransfeldt said. “But we did play hard, and I’m really proud of everyone on the team. There were a ton of people fighting injuries, and they stayed on the field. I have so much respect for that.”
Mayberry finished 10- for- 17 for 132 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Spiezio caught eight passes for 104 yards and one touchdown.
“They threw to Spiezio more today,” Rochester defensive back Riley Lewis said. “He had nice hands, he caught the ball and tucked it well. He was pretty good.”
Dransfeldt was the engine of the offense, finishing with 38 carries for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
“Some trips to the red zone that we didn’t convert on hurt us,” Thorson said.
Rochester quarterback Nic Baker finished 15- for- 28 for 223 yards and two touchdowns and had 15 carries for 94 yards.