PLYMOUTH -- Much like Perham's Section 8AAA final victory, the #2-5AAA Providence Academy Lions (9-2) escaped a defensive battle, defeating the #5 Rockford Rockets (5-6) by a score of 15-14 to capture the Section 5AAA championship.
The victory propels the Lions to the quarterfinal round of the state tournament, where they will face the Yellowjackets (8-3) Saturday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. at Husky Stadium on the campus of St. Cloud State University.
The Lions led 3-0 at halftime and scored late to seal the victory.
Rockford converted on a fourth down and five at the eight yard line on a TD pass to Nick Monssen with 4:48 remaining in the third quarter. A two-point conversion failed leaving the score 6-3.
Lions quarterback Jackson Canfield scored on a five-yard run after converting fourth and one at the 10-yard line. They also failed on a two-point conversion making the scoreboard oddly reflect a field goal battle, 9-6 Lions, with 11:54 remaining.
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Monssen scored again three minutes later, this time from 36 yards out on a pass by Brock Deering. The Rockets barreled into the end zone for the two-point PAT to go up 14-9.
Senior Lions' running back Marshall Klitzke scored from just inside the 20 on a run around left end, diving for the pylon, to score the game winner. The point after try was no good leaving the final 15-14.
Providence Academy ran the clock down in Rockford territory before giving the ball up on downs with 2.1 seconds on the clock. An incomplete pass brought an end to the game.
Sean Mostrom kicked a 26-yard field goal for the only score of the first half.
