Golden Dome Rush: Providence Lion’s Rushing Attack Puts Team In State Semifinals

A game with plenty of ups and downs for the Providence Academy Lions came out golden in the end as they advanced to the Class AAA state football quarterfinals in a 28-19 win over Perham Saturday night.

“It’s amazing,” said Lions running back Marshall Klitzke. “It was our ultimate dream to go to the dome.”

Klitzke ran for 198 yards and three touchdowns, and quarterback Jackson Canfield added another rushing TD and 101 yards on the ground in the victory. Canfield also threw for 144 yards on 8-15 passing.

“The o-line did a great job opening holes and giving Canfield lots of time to get down field,” said Lions coach Nate Harrington. “They played their best game of the season.”

Kellen Carney put the stop on the Perham Yellowjackets’ passing game twice with a pair of picks and one that stymied a big drive in the fourth quarter. Carney’s first pick put the ball at the Yellowjackets’ 22-yard line and set up Klitzke’s first TD.

“I watched a lot of film on these guys, and they like to throw it deep,” Carney said. “Our line and our linebackers put pressure on him, so that helped. I just saw it from the beginning and broke on the ball.”

Klitzke’s TD put the Lions ahead 7-6, and Eric Richelsen recovered a Yellowjacket fumble. The Lions capitalized again with another Klitzke TD.

The Yellowjackets showed some life with a TD by quarterback Jordan Hein as the half wound down. Hein had 84 yards passing, 96 yards rushing and two rushing TDs in the game.

“We were able to contain him,” Klitzke said. “That was the key to their offense, and we were able to shut him down.”

The Lions had their troubles with a pair of interceptions by Canfield. Those led to Hein’s second TD and Gabe Pankonin’s rushing TD in the third quarter, which cut the lead to two, 21-19. Klitzke didn’t let the Jackets get closer with a 55-yard run on the next drive, which set up a TD run by Canfield. It put the Lions ahead, 28-19.

“I just keep giving him the ball, it’s what we’ve done all year,” Canfield said. “It seems to be working out, so why stop?”

Canfield saved the next drive for the Lions with an 8-yard run on fourth down in the final quarter. The drive chewed up time, and the Lions defense held off the Yellowjackets’ following possession with Carney’s second pick.

The Lions then moved the ball deep into Yellowjacket territory, and Canfield capped the drive with a short run on a fourth down at the 13-yard line, which sealed the game.

The Lions will play Saint Croix Lutheran next Saturday, Nov. 19, at the dome. The Crusaders beat Plainview-Elgin-Millville 30-22 in their semifinal game. In addition, the Lions and Crusaders met in their season opener, with the Crusaders cruising 52-6. 

“We’re excited for a rematch,” Carney said. “No one was happy with the way we played. We’re looking forward to another shot at them.”