Adam Kirk / Winonan
The Winona State University football team won the Battle for the Sledge trophy game 42-27 against Southwest Minnesota State University Saturday, Nov. 5 at home.
According to Winona State Athletics, Battle for the Sledge, which is an ongoing rivalry between Winona State and Southwest Minnesota State, began last year through BIG Athletics and adidas.
The rivalry sparked during Winona State’s 2008 football season, in which a defensive player was awarded with a sledgehammer each week for the following week.
During warmups on Oct. 4, 2008, the Winona State player brought the sledgehammer to the field, and the Southwest Minnesota State players took notice. That game ended a seven-game winning streak for the Warriors and began a rivalry between the two schools, as the Mustangs took the sledgehammer and celebrated the victory.
At the beginning of game this past weekend, senior running back Paul Preston was named the game’s MVP as he rushed for over 150 yards for the second consecutive week.
“We’re just happy to have it back in our hands,” Preston said regarding the Sledge.
Head coach Tom Sawyer said, “It originated here in Winona with our defense and we got it back; it’s exciting.”
The game started with a quick Warrior touchdown. Preston’s kick return gave the offense good field position and senior quarterback Jack Nelson found Cameron Johnson for a 21-yard touchdown pass.
Southwest Minnesota State followed with a drive that went 77-yards in 15 plays, scoring on a seven-yard run.
On Winona State’s next possession Preston had two 20-yard runs the second a 24-yard touchdown.
The Warriors regained possession after senior defensive back Ryan Cain forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive back Clint Warminski. Nelson found wide receiver Connor Schulz on a 16-yard completion making Nelson the all-time NSIC career passing yards leader at 11,581 yards. The drive ended with junior kicker Carter McCauley’s field goal giving the Warriors a 17-7 lead.
Four-year teammate of Nelson, senior offensive lineman Tyler Lund said, “It’s incredible playing with a guy like that. It’s just awesome.”
Preston said of Nelson’s record, “He’s such an awesome kid and he deserves it. He works hard and he just comes out here and battles. I’m just so happy for him.”
Southwest answered on their next drive with a 77-yard run where first –year running back Max Simmons went untouched to the end zone.
Winona kept their offensive momentum going the following drive as Nelson found Johnson for their second touchdown connection on the day making the score 24-14.
Winona struggled with kickoff coverage in the game, and on the following kick off an 81-yard return by the Mustangs gave them great field position. Junior running back Mike Imperiale forced and recovered a fumble, giving the Warriors the ball back.
The high-scoring battle continued in the second half as the Mustangs drove down 52-yards and scored on a 16-yard run. Senior line backer Jarrett Wood blocked the extra point making the score 24-20.
The Warriors took two plays to answer the touchdown. Preston ran 35-yards to the end zone. Preston suffered a knee injury earlier in the season and credits his success the past two weeks to his regained health.
“I feel good after the knee surgery. I came back and I’ve been doing rehab ever since and I feel back to normal now. The O-line is doing a great job up front and I’m just running behind them,” Preston said.
Preston finished the game with 152-yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Coach Sawyer said, “He’s playing like a senior whose only got a little bit of time left. He’s inspirational to all our players and its fun to watch him play.”
Preston finished the game with 152-yards rushing and two touchdowns.
The Warriors forced a punt by Southwest to get the ball back. On a fourth down fake punt sophomore tight end Greg Rooney took the snap and ran for a first down to keep the drive alive. The drive ended with a 38-yard field goal by McCauley putting the Warriors up 33-20.
After another Mustang fumble Winona found the end zone again as senior running back Jordan Kos ran for his first touchdown of the season. The Warrior two-point conversion was failed keeping the score at 39-20.
In the fourth quarter Winona State’s offense drove 73-yards running almost seven minutes off the clock to set up a field goal.
The drive was critical keeping the up-tempo Mustang offense off the field.
Lund said, “It’s really important because we know they can score really fast. They showed that in the first half.”
The Mustangs scored a late touchdown bringing the final score to 42-27.
The Warriors play their final game of the season Saturday, Nov. 12 at home against Concordia University.
-Adam Kirk
