Hermantown routs Broncos 48-12
International Falls knew about its tough early-season schedule before the season started. Now it’s time to recover from the 1-4 start and try to avoid its second straight year with no postseason.
Hermantown rolled through the Broncos on Friday night on homecoming, building a 41-12 halftime lead before eventually winning 48-12 at Sports Stadium.
“Once things started really going wrong, we started hanging our heads and not fighting as much as other games,” Broncos head coach Jay Boyle said.
The Hawks (3-2) got three touchdowns from Corey Anderson — all in the second quarter — and two from Jeremy Peterson in the rout. Steven Spencer scored the opening touchdown on a 60-yard interception return on a pass that bounced off the hands of Broncos receiver Marcus Zawchenuk.
“That first one really hurt,” Boyle said.
Zawchenuk redeemed himself by catching a 79-yard touchdown pass from Gunnar Anderson two plays later, but that was all the closer it would get.
Peterson scored from 12 yards out with 1:44 to play in the first quarter and Hermantown scored four more times over the next 13:44.
In four drives in the second quarter, the Broncos finished with two interceptions, a touchdown (making it 27-12) and halftime.
The second half was played with numerous backups from both sidelines.
“The attitude is good. They haven’t quit,” Boyle said. “We knew when the season started the first five games were tough. Not to say we’re overconfident over these next three, but the goal is to have a 3-0 run leading into playoffs.”
The Broncos struggled to run again, amassing only 64 yards on 32 carries. Chris Steinbach had four carries for 26 yards and a score. The passing attack was more effective, minus the four interceptions. Anderson finished 14 of 25 with 221 yards. Zawchenuk had five receptions for 118 yards and Shawn Filipiak caught four balls for 58 yards.
Hermantown finished with 389 yards on 49 plays, including 236 yards on the ground.
Over the next three games, International Falls plays Eveleth-Gilbert (1-4), Hibbing (0-5) and Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin (2-3). The Broncos will have to win at least one and possibly two to finish out of the cellar of Section 7AAA. The Broncos currently sit last in the section, but four teams have two wins — Two Harbors, Mora, Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin and Aitkin.
Hermantown 48,
I. Falls 12
H 14 27 0 7—48
IF 6 6 0 0—12
First Quarter
H — Steven Spencer 60 interception return (Corey Anderson run)
IF — Marcus Zawchenuk 79 pass from Gunnar Anderson (pass failed)
H — Jeremy Peterson 12 run (pass failed)
Second Quarter
H — Peterson 2 run (Parker Anderson kick)
H — C. Anderson 28 run (kick failed)
IF — Chris Steinbach 6 run (run failed)
H — C. Anderson 44 pass from Cody Baker (kick failed)
H — C. Anderson 30 run (C. Anderson from Baker)
Fourth Quarter
H — Mitch Hiner 4 pass from Billy Grillo (P. Anderson kick)
