Broncos quarterback Gunnar Anderson broke the single-game school record for passing yards that he set earlier this season by throwing for 275 yards Wednesday night when International Falls’ football won its regular season finale at Sports Stadium against Greenway/ Nashwauk-Keewatin, 16-6.
“We showed that we can be an explosive offense when we need to be,” said Falls head coach Jay Boyle. “At the end we were able to run some clock down with our run game just like we needed to.
“It was a very good, very complete football game. I’m very proud of my kids.”
The victory improved the Broncos’ record to 2-6 overall and 2-4 in the Sea-Range Conference.
Falls ended the regular season on a two-game winning streak and also earned the No. 4 seed in the Section 7AAA playoffs to be able to host next Tuesday’s quarterfinal game against No. 5-seeded Virginia, a team with its only win coming against the Broncos.
G/N-K, which is 3-5 overall and has received the No. 3 section in the Section, hosts Aitkin next Tuesday.
The Titans crossed the goal line first Wednesday night, but a penalty nullified the touchdown. Both teams were later stopped on downs as the first quarter remained scoreless.
The Falls scored first with 7:22 left in the first half when Anderson connected with running back Nick Janttie for a 7-yard touchdown pass. Janttie ran in the 2-point conversion to extend the Broncos’ lead to 8-0.
G/N-K responded on offense by moving the football inside the Broncos’ 20-yard line. Boyle called timeout with 5:38 to play in the half to urge on the defense.
With the Titans facing a fourth-down play with 3 yards to go on Falls’ 4-yard line, the Broncos made a defensive stop as G/N-K turned the ball over on downs on the 3-yard line with 2:25 left before halftime. The Falls remained in front by eight at intermission.
“Our kids came up and stuck them,” Boyle said. “This is one of the most physical teams that you see — that’s the way G/N-K always is. Our kids did a great job of firing up, coming up and filling holes. Defense played fantastic.”
The Falls, which has lost some players to injuries this season, had one key player return Wednesday when Beau Herzig, who sustained a knee injury a few weeks ago, saw action on the defensive line.
The Broncos took a two-touchdown lead slightly past the midway point of the third quarter when Anderson connected with sophomore end Ben Humbert for a 27-yard scoring strike. Janttie once again scored the 2-point conversion to extend Falls’ lead to 16-0.
The Titans’ only score of the game came early in the fourth quarter when Jayden Gangle threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mitch Bonderson with 10:54 left to play. The Broncos stopped the run for the 2-point conversion to keep a two-score lead at 16-6, which is where the game ended.
While both teams rushed for less than 100 net yards, Falls outgained G/N-K in total yardage, 373-212.
Ten of Anderson’s 14 completions for 275 yards went to two receivers totaling more than 100 yards apiece. Luke Spilde had three catches for 132 yards, while Humbert ended up with seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Janttie ran for 102 yards on 25 carries and added 29 receiving yards on three receptions with a touchdown.
G/N-K 0 0 0 6 — 6
I. Falls 0 8 8 0 — 16
Scoring: IF: Nick Janttie, 7-yard pass from Gunnar Anderson (Janttie run); IF: Ben Humbert, 27-yard pass from Anderson (Janttie run); G/N-K: Mitch Bonderson, 8-yard pass from Jayden Gangle (Run failed).
Team statistics: IF: 98 yards rushing, 275 passing, 373 total. G/N-K: 55 yards rushing, 157 passing, 212 total.
Rushing: IF: Janttie, 25-102; Nehemiah Olson, 2-0; Anderson, 10-(-4).
Passing: IF: Anderson, 14-25, 275 yards, 2 TDs.
Receiving: IF: Luke Spilde, 3-132; Humbert, 7-106, 1 TD; Janttie, 3-29, 1 TD; Austin Geiselhart, 2-8.
