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Saturday

Section playoff 

C-I at Aitkin 2:00

       Seven Gobblers scored touchdowns and Lumies Wang made 9-9 extra-point kicks as Aitkin blew out the Ely Timberwolves 63-6 in the opening round of the Section 7AA playoffs Tuesday night. Aitkin raced out to a 63-0 halftime lead and running time ended the game early. The win puts the Gobblers in the semi-finals Saturday afternoon at 2pm against the C-I Rangers, a 6-0 winner over International Falls.

      The Gobblers kicked off to start the game and after a three and out Aitkin had the ball at the Ely 43 after a punt. Parker Fulton took the handoff and went 43 yards for his 16th touchdown of the season. After Wang booted the first of his nine extra points it was 7-0 with 9:24 left in the period. Less than two minutes later Eli McNevin picked off a D.J. Johnson pass and went 35 yards for the score and a 14-0 lead after the PAT. Two minutes later Aitkin had the ball at midfield and on the next play Bo Sanford went 50 yards for a touchdown, his 5th of the season.  That made it 21-0 but the Gobblers were far from finished in the first quarter. The Gobblers took over at the Ely 35 after a failed fourth down play and took 5 plays to go 36 yards for the score, a 2-yard pass from Sanford to Nolan Dotzler. Wang kicked the point after, and it was 28-0. Aitkin got the ball back at the Ely 35 after an interception and found the endzone again. The 4-play drive was finished off by a 16-yard run by Jack Jacobson, his 4th touchdown of the season. There was more of the same in the second quarter. Braden Wagner got into the scoring fun with a 43-yard run after a punt by the 'Wolves. It was his 3rd touchdown of the season. A 23-yard touchdown run by Carter Pietz, his 6th of the season capped a 4 play 36-yard drive on the next Aitkin possession and that made the score 49-0. They made it 56-0 on a touchdown by Parker Fulton, this time from 22 yards out and they finished off the half with a 5 play, 35-yard drive capped off by a 10-yard run by McNevin. It was an exhausting half for the Ely defense, but they would score the only touchdown of the abbreviated second half on a 58-yard run by D.J. Johnson. All of the second half and part of the second quarter were played by the Gobbler reserves, and they were happy to get the playing time.

Timberwolves  0   0  0      6

Gobblers         35 28 0 0 63

The Coach-"We got a full team effort tonight. We got everyone on the field, and we were able to rest our starters for the entire second half which is huge this time of year. We can celebrate this one but tomorrow we have to forget about it and get ready for C-I on Saturday."

The Players

Parker Fulton-"It was a fun game; it was great to see everybody play. Most of the time the reserves don't get to play a lot, just on the scout team during the week so I'm really happy for them."

Jack Jacobson-"It was a good way to start our playoff run and now we have to take that into our game with C-I."

Eli McNevin-"Well, I just thought we played great tonight and I'm glad we could do our job. I'm just thankful to get the opportunity to have a chance to be out there with the defense and make plays. I'm grateful I got that interception. All year I've been wondering what it's like to get a pick-six and I'm glad I got the chance to do things like that and make plays with my teammates. I'm also glad the younger guys got to go in and see what it's like to play at the varsity level. Now we have a bigger opponent coming up and we have to stay focused the next few days and get prepared for C-I."

     The Aitkin Gobblers have put together some impressive stats both on offense and defense during their 7-1 regular season. It has been a total team effort Let's take a look at some of those stats.

Scoring Leaders

92 pts.-Parker Fulton-15 touchdowns plus one 2-pt conversion

32 pts.-Lumies Wang-32 PAT kicks (32-36)

30 pts.-Carter Pietz-5 touchdowns

30 pts.-Nolan Dotzler- 5 touchdowns

24 pts.-Bo Sanford-4 touchdowns

Braden Wagner (3), Jack Jacobson (3), Cade Kazmerzak (2), Brandon Kunz (1) and Owen Foday (1) 

Rushing Leaders

787 yards-113 carries-Parker Fulton

546 yards-67 carries-Carter Pietz

360 yards-35 carries-Jack Jacobson

Passing Leaders

536 yards-46-94-Bo Sanford-4 Touchdowns-5 interceptions

Receiving Leaders

313 yards-Nolan Dotzler-4 touchdowns

194 yards-Braden Wagner-1 touchdowns

Defensive Leaders

79 tackles-Parker Fulton

49 tackles-Tolo May

46 tackles-Jack Jacobson

43 tackles-Eli McNevin

32 tackles-Nolan Dotzler

27 tackles-Quintin Christy

Fumble recoveries-1-Jack Jacobson, Eli McNevin, Quintin Christy, Dane Powers, Bennett Sadlowsky, Aaron Morris

Pass Interceptions

5-Nolan Dotzler

2-Parker Fulton

1-Jack Jacobson

1-Eli McNevin

1-Carter Pietz

       The Aitkin Gobblers completed the regular season with a record of 7-1 after their win over the Titans Wednesday night. Let's check some of the stats from the win.

Total yards-Aitkin 317-157

Rushing yards-Aitkin 317-144

Turnovers-Aitkin-2, Titans-2

Penalties-Aitkin 5-20, Titans-4-32

       Individual stats

Rushing

Carter Pietz-6-103 yards

Parker Fulton-14-86 yards

Cade Kazmerzak-1-81 yards

Jack Jacobson-4-44 yards

Tackles

Parker Fulton 3-13-16 total

Tolo May-4-6-10 total

Eli McNevin-0-6-6 total

Nolan Dotzler-2-3-5 total

Interceptions-Parker Fulton and Nolan Dotzler

The Coach-"We had some struggles in the first half. Thankfully the defense played lights out all game. There are definitely some things we need to clean up heading into the post-season, but I'm very proud of the guys, they've played outstanding all season. To finish the season 7-1 is something they should be very proud of. All of that being said we need to forget about it. The playoffs start the second half of our season and everyone is 0-0 again. We're in a good position with the #2 seed but we can't take anything for granted and need to execute every game."

The Players

Quintin Christy-"I think we started slow in the first half and the scoreboard showed. During halftime we all calmed down and knew we were the better team and it was time to show it. In the second half we came out and dominated on the field even though things weren't going our way. This game showed how much we have to improve before reaching our goal which is the Section final."

Carter Pietz-"Well we came out kind of flat. I think we expected to roll over for us but they came to play. They were a very chippy team, and I think we did a pretty good job of staying out of it. We got our stuff figured out and the defense shut them out in the second half allowing our offense to score."

 Brandon Kunz-"It was a good win, but we need to be better about starting the game aggressively. Now it's do or die and if we go out and play like we did in the first half it's not going to go in our favor. Thankfully we came out playing some really good football in the second half by not allowing another point in the game. I'm just really proud of the guys for pulling through and keeping our emotions in check. I'm really happy I got to score at least one touchdown in my high school career. I'm thankful for Coach Hills for giving me the opportunity to get one."

Bennett Sadlowsky-"We got another win on the regular season to finish at 7-1. However going into the playoffs we have toplay a full 48 minutes. Our first half was not good, and we were losing at half. However, we came out after halftime and played some good ball. We just have to play a whole game of good football going into the postseason."

Cade Kazmerzak-"Definitely my personal best game, feels great to be 7-1."

This week's opponent is the Ely Timberwolves 'Wolves-Record 2-6

'Wolves pts-118 Opponents pts-306

Lost to Barnum 0-48

Lost to I. Falls 8-59

Lost to M.I.B. 0-7 (forfeit)

Lost to Cherry 6-42

Lost to Deer River 0-38

Beat Chisholm 32-20

Beat E. Central 58-40

Lost to Braham 14-52

Aitkin and Ely have not played in over 20 years.

      Names to watch for. Jesse Oelke-2 touchdowns vs Chisholm, Arturo Cameron-18 rushes for 123 yards vs Chisholm, Sean Merriman-One touchdown vs Chisholm and freshman quarterback DJ Johnson.

      The #2 seeded Aitkin Gobblers will open the Section Playoffs Tuesday with a home game against the #7 seed Ely Timberwolves starting at 6:00. In the other game on that side of the bracket C-I will travel to International Falls. The two winners will meet at the highest seed Saturday for a 2:00 matchup. The top seed is Moose Lake-Willow River, and they have a bye. They will play a Saturday game against the winner of the game between #4 Greenway-Nashwauk Keewatin and #5 Mesabi East. 

       The Aitkin Gobblers finished the regular season 7-1 after a 28-8 win Wednesday over the visiting Greenway/Nashwauk Keewatin Titans. The Gobblers secure the number two seed in the upcoming Section Playoffs and will host a first round game Tuesday at Veterans Field.

      The Titans took an 8-0 lead in the first period as they went 36 yards in six plays after an interception by Simeon Wells. Zeke Stuber scored from a yard out and then he ran the PAT, and it was 8-0 with 3:56 left in the quarter. Aitkin moved the ball all the way to the Titan 5-yard line but came up short on 4th down and gave the ball back to GNK. Aitkin had a punt blocked on the next possession, but the defense caused a turnover, and it wasn't long before Aitkin put the ball in the end zone. The score was set up by a tipped pass by Eli McNevin that landed in the arms of Parker Fulton who raced to the 23-yard line. Carter Pietz went the final 19 yards of the two play, 23-yard drive to make it an 8-6 game. Lumies Wang booted the PAT, and it was 8-7 at the 4:32 mark of the second. That was also the halftime score and both teams went to the break with lots to talk about. The Titans took the second half kickoff and ran 11 plays but couldn't keep the drive alive and a punt gave Aitkin the ball at their own 35-yard line. On second down Carter Pietz went up the middle and ducked to the outside and scampered 61 yards for a touchdown, his 5th of the season. Wang kicked the point after, and it was 14-8 Gobblers. After a huge tackle for a loss by Jack Jacobson the Titans were forced to punt again and Aitkin took over at the 31. The Gobblers went 69 yards in 8 plays to score again.  A 28-yard run by Jacobson got the drive going and Fulton scored from the 8 to make it 20-8. Wang was true with the PAT and Aitkin had the lead at 21-8 with 6:08 left in the game. Nolan Dotzler picked off a pass on the Titans next possession and set Aitkin up at their own 20-yard line. On first down Cade Kazmerzak raced 81 yards up the middle only to be chased down at the 2-yard line by a speedy Simeon Wells. Brandon Kunz took it in from there and Wang booted the PAT for the final 28-8 score. Kazmerzak talked about the run, "I had been waiting all game for my shot and when I got it, I found space and tried my hardest to score but ultimately was caught." 

      Aitkin rushed for 317 yards in the game led by Pietz who had 103 yards on 6 carries. Fulton had 86 on 14 carries and Kazmerzak added 81 yards on his lone carry. Coach Alan Hills after the win, "We had some struggles in the first half offensively. Thankfully the defense played lights out all night. There are definitely things we need to clean up heading into the post-season."

Titans       8 0 0  0  8

Gobblers 0 7 7 14 28

    The Aitkin "JH" Gobblers finished up their season with a 40-8 home victory over the Mora Mustangs on Tuesday. Coach Rory Sanders after the win, "Our defense was outstanding the whole game giving up just one touchdown on a fluke pass (which was a lateral) and their player picked it up and ran the distance for the score. The MVP today was Luke Jacobson with three touchdowns, two on kickoff returns and one on an interception return. Zach Raushel caught a touchdown pass from Wyatt Sicard and Cole Kaiser ran 10 yards for our final touchdown. It was a productive season improving on our skills and finishing with a 3-3 record. We have great kids in Aitkin, and they are so respectful and love to be coached. I credit parents, coaches and teachers and our community for our tremendous culture of caring for one another."

       The Gobblers are 6-1 heading into the regular season finale Wednesday at home against the Titans of Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin. Right now though let's check the stats from the win over the Jaguars Friday night.

Total yards-Aitkin 374-187

Rushing yards-Aitkin 283-122

First Downs-Aitkin 17-10

Turnovers-Aitkin-1 Jaguars-1

Penalties-Aitkin 5-30, Jaguars 4-20

Rushing

Parker Fulton-17-171 yards

Carter Pietz-11-35 yards

Jack Jacobson-3-27 yards

Cade Kazmerzak-3-24

Owen Foday-3-16

Passing

Bo Sanford-4-8-85 yards

Parker Fulton-1-1-6 yards

Receiving

Nolan Dotzler-2-48 yards

Braden Wagner-2-42 yards

Tackles

Parker Fulton 2-4 for 6 total

Eli McNevin-2-4 for 6 total

Karson Hopperstad-2-2 for 4 total

Fumble recovery-Quintin Christy

The Coach-"We played another really complete game. Offensively we started the game with a long scoring drive. We were really able to establish the run again this week which set up a couple of big plays through the air as well. Defensively we lacked a little intensity coming off our opening drive but settled in after that. It was a great night to be able to get our starters some rest and play a lot of kids. Hopefully we can carry the momentum into our game Wednesday against GNK. It will be a much tougher test as we head into the playoffs. If we continue to play the way we have been we should come out on top."

The Players

 Karson Hopperstad-"Yeah it was a great win again. We started off really slow but still scored on a ten-minute drive. After that we just poured it on, 6-1!"

Bennett Sadlowsky-"It was another good win for us. We started off slow taking up almost the whole first quarter with one drive. Got the ball back after the first score and we didn't stop after that. We were able to move the ball well all night which always helps. It was also fun to see the younger guys get in in the fourth quarter and see them having fun. Overall, it was a great night and another good win for us as we move to our last regular season game Wednesday."

Owen Foday-"Scoring my first touchdown on varsity was surreal and a dream I've had since I started playing football. I'm grateful to be playing for such a great football team and being able to contribute."

Bo Sanford-"I thought we came out to a slow start but sometimes that's football. We made some mistakes, too many penalties but we will learn from it and fix it. Short week then a huge game against Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin Wednesday."

Parker Fulton-"The first drive of the game was our longest of the season, over ten minutes. We just kind of ran the table after their touchdown. This is the second Homecoming we have ruined this season, first International Falls and now Hinckley-Finlayson, we like that."

This week's opponent-Greenway-Nashwauk-Keewatin (3-4)

GNK-32-0 Hinckley-Finlayson

GNK-20-24 Deer River

GNK-20-14 C-I

GNK-24-30 Rush City

GNK-6-48 Int'l Falls

GNK-26-22 Mesabi East

GNK-0-37 Moose Lake/Willow River

The Series (AItkin-5-3)

'24-GNK 22-8

'23-Aitkin 22-7

'21-Aitkin 38-0

'20-Aitkin 28-0

'12-Aitkin 18-8

'09-GNK 32-18

'08-Aitkin 28-22

'07-GNK 31-13

      I wonder how many soccer players have traveled nearly 6,000 miles from Ghana to kick extra points and field goals for the Aitkin Gobblers. Well, that's what Lumies Wang and his family did over two years ago and although they may have not done that for that express reason Gobbler fans are sure happy that's the way it turned out. This week I asked the senior, who is 10-11 on PAT's this season, how he got into kicking the football so well. "I've played soccer since I was six years old and I joined football last year because Aitkin didn't have soccer and I thought kicking would be pretty fun and somewhat familiar to me." Is he a self-taught kicker or did soccer just make it more natural for you? "I'd say I am a self-taught kicker, and I found out kicking a football is a lot different than I expected. I've looked at lots of YouTube videos to try and get the technique down." They say a kickers best friend is his holder, how important is it for you? "To be honest the holder is very important. When the ball is placed different, at an odd angle or the timing isn't right the kick could go bad. I think Boniface, (Bo Sanford), has done a great job being the holder while doing extra points." From a strictly personal standpoint, are you happy with your season so far? "So far I'm pretty happy with my season but I still hope to have more opportunities to kick field goals." The season is just three games old so don't be surprised if he doesn't get some chances in the next five games. A good place-kicker is a weapon on any football team and after the miles Lumies has put on to get here, how hard can a 40-yard field goal be. He will be back in action with his Gobbler teammates Friday at International Falls, hoping to give them the "boot".

     Here comes the rest of the 2025 Gobbler varsity football schedule. (Last year 4-5)

Tuesday

Section Playoff at Aitkin-6:00