Verndale runs over Ashby 46-30 for Section 4 title

It was a shootout in the Fargodome on Nov. 1 between the top-seeded Verndale Pirates and the second-seed Ashby Arrows for the Section 4 title.

When the dust settled, the Pirates advanced to the state tournament for the 13th time behind workhorse Sam Moenkedick's school-record 375 yards rushing in the 46-30 victory. Moenkedick shattered Zach Hinkle's old record of 292 yards with his six-touchdown performance.

His first quarter scores kept the Pirates in the game as Ashby kept pace with Verndale for much of the first half. Matt Moenkedick's nine-yard run gave the Pirates a two-point cushion heading into halftime, 20-18.

While the Pirates had a runner on fire in Moenkedick, the Arrows countered with the trio of Luke Hoffman, Tim Evavold and Mike House. Hoffman's 34-yard run with 3:31 left in the first quarter gave Ashby a brief 12-6 lead. House's 54-yard run kept the Arrows within striking distance heading into the break.

Moenkedick broke loose in the second half, scoring three times in the third quarter as Verndale racked up another 20 points. He capped the evening with a 63 yard touchdown jaunt as the Pirates rushed into the state football tournament.

As a team, the Pirates finished with 458 yards rushing. It was the second straight game that Verndale was able to go over 400 yards on the ground. The team racked up 470 yards in the Oct. 27 semifinal victory over Hillcrest Lutheran Academy of Fergus Falls.

Ashby rushed for 303 yards with Hoffman tallying 133 yards on 26 carries.

Verndale travels to neutral-site Hamline University today (Thursday) for the state quarterfinals. The Pirates (9-1) will meet up with the undefeated Section 1 champion Houston Hurricanes (11-0), with the winner advancing to the Nov. 15 state semifinals in the Metrodome.

Section 4 Nine-Man Championship

Verndale vs. Ashby at Fargodome on Nov. 1

Pirates 46, Arrows 30

Ashby 12 6 6 6-30

Verndale 12 8 20 6-46

First Quarter

V-Sam Moenkedick 5 run (run failed)

A-Theron Rein 17 run (run failed)

A-Luke Hoffman 34 run (run failed)

V-Sam Moenkedick 6 run (run failed)

Second Quarter

V-Matt Moenkedick 9 run (Jake Seaton pass from Ethan Kern)

A-Mike House 52 run (run failed)

Third Quarter

V-Sam Moenkedick 8 run (run failed)

V-Sam Moenkedick 16 run (run failed)

A-Tim Evavold 4 run (run failed)

V-Sam Moenkedick 9 run (Sam Moenkedick run)

Fourth Quarter

V-Sam Moenkedick 63 run (pass failed)

A-Hoffman 10 run (pass failed)

Team statistics

Rushes-Yards: V 58-458, A 62-303

Pass Comp-Att-Int-Yards: V 1-4-1-3, A 4-18-0-59

Total Offense: V 461, A 362

First Downs: V 24, A 15

Penalties-Yards: V 3-30, A 2-10

Individual Statistics

Rushing: V-Sam Moenkedick 36-375, Matt Moenkedick 12-55; A-Luke Hoffman 26-133, Tim Evavold 17-77, Mike House 2-54, Theron Rein 11-51

Passing: V-Matt Moenkedick 0-2-1-0, Kern 1-2-3; A-Rein 0-4-0-0, Logan Sonmor 4-14-0-59

Receiving: V-Jake Seaton 1-3; A-Kurt Mickelson 3-53

Defensive Standouts: V-Matt Moenkedick 19 tackles, quarterback sack; Sam Moenkedick 17 tackles; Derek Wiese 16 tackles, 2 quarterback sacks; Ethan Kern 14 tackles; Dan Weiher 7 tackles, quarterback sack; Brady Siedschlaw 7 tackles; Jake Seaton 7 tackles