A 49-0 homecoming blast

The Cloquet football team didn't disappoint a large homecoming crowd Friday as they pounded out a 49-0 win over Proctor. "We came out and did what we were supposed to do against a team that is trying to rebuild their program," said Cloquet coach Jeff Ojanen.

It took until there was 2:42 remaining in the first quarter before the 'Jacks were able to get on the scoreboard - but the 65-yard touchdown scamper by Aiden Nelson opened the floodgates. Soccer player Max Sundquist would find himself kicking seven extra points on the night.

Cloquet's second score came on a James Wilmot one-yard touchdown plunge with 7:19 remaining in the second quarter, pushing the score to 14-0. The 'Jacks followed up with a Wilmot to Jack Battaglia 24-yard touchdown pass with 1:01 left before halftime, making it 21-0.

"We still have some things we need to clean up," Ojanen said. "We need to clean up our penalties and there are still some other things we need to do better."

The 'Jacks struck again early in the second half when Wilmot tossed a 22-yard scoring strike to Battagalia for a 28-0 lead.

"Jack is a very good talent and has elite body control," Ojanen said. "I believe that down the line he can definitely play at the next level."

The Wilmot to Battaglia combination scored again minutes later, as they hooked up for an 11-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 35-0 with 2:55 remaining in the third quarter.

Wilmot finished 7-for-9 passing good for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Battaglia caught all three of those touchdown passes and a total of six passes for 101 receiving yards.

While the Cloquet passing attack was impressive, so was the rushing attack, Six different players put up significant rushing numbers. With 6:49 remaining in the fourth quarter, sophomore Jacob Parks took a handoff on the four-yard line and raced 96 yards for a touchdown, pushing the 'Jacks lead to 42-0.

With just under two minutes to play, sophomore Blake Prosen took off on a 60-yard touchdown jaunt, making it 49-0.

"We've got some speed in that sophomore class," Ojanen said. "We had quite a few sophomores who got extended playing time in the game and played well."

Sophomore Jack Horvat started at fullback and had nine carries for 88 yards and yet another sophomore, Connor Etter, stepped in at linebacker and had an impressive game.

"When we execute and stay away from the penalties and put it all together, we can be a tough team," Ojanen said. "There is a fine line where we need to be, but it all starts with our offensive and defensive lines. We need the guys up front to do their job, If they execute at all times, we can be tough."

The win improved the Lumberjacks record to 2-3, but things will get a whole lot tougher Friday when the team travels to Duluth Denfeld, which suffered its first loss of the season last Friday night versus North Branch. Gametime is is 6 p.m. Friday at Public Schools Stadium.