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A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
Cloquet pours it on against East
Cloquet quarterback James Wilmot throws a touchdown pass to teammate Jack Battaglia during Friday night's win against Duluth East. Wilmot connected with Battaglia for two touchdowns and also scored a rushing touchdown in the game.
Cloquet's Blair Chartier fends off Duluth East's Max Nutter during a carry Friday. Chartier scored three rushing touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense in the 47-22 Lumberjacks' win.
The Cloquet football team makes its way into Members Cooperative Credit Union Stadium Friday on the night the new facility was dedicated after opening last fall.
Kerry Rodd
A third-quarter explosion helped lead the Cloquet football team to its first win of the season Friday on the night the new Members Cooperative Credit Union Stadium was dedicated.
The Lumberjacks scored 34 unanswered points - and put together a three touchdowns in the third quarter - to throttle previously unbeaten Duluth East, 47-22.
"Our offensive line play was really good," said Cloquet head coach Jeff Ojanen. "The kids responded really well all week and did some nice things on the offensive line. Our defensive line was aggressive all night, and I thought Hunter Eugenis and Brodie Wilson had good nights against East's option attack."
There were too many stars to mention on offense for the 'Jacks, but Blair Chartier, Jack Battaglia and James Wilmot all played significant roles in the win.
Chartier ran for 185 yards on 18 carries, Battaglia caught seven passes for 111 yards and Wilmot, the quarterback, was 7-for-8 in the passing department with 111 yards through the air.
"When our offense is clicking, those three will be the ones that will put up the numbers," Ojanen said. "Blair had some huge holes to run through, and he has really good vision, plus he made some impact plays on defense with an interception and a fumble recovery."
The Wilmot-to-Battaglia passing combination put on a spectacular display - seeming to give hometown fans a thrill a minute.
"They made some big-time plays when we needed it," Ojanen said. "It was good to see them both get going early."
Trailing 16-7 in the second quarter, the Lumberjacks went on a 34-0 run late in the second and the entire third quarter as they put the game away on a perfect night for football at their newly dedicated facility.
The win improves the 'Jacks record to 1-2 on the season.
