At the time of kickoff last Friday, September 18, the mismatch on paper was as wide as the disparity in the number of players on each team's roster.
The Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa football team, with 20 players suited for the game and two still on the injured list, was set for battle with Mid-Northwest Gold District rival and No. 4-ranked (Associated Press) Upsala/Swanville Area. The Patriots, were riding an 18-game district winning streak that began in October 2023. The last time U/SA lost in district play was on Sept. 29, 2023 in Swanville in a 14-6 loss to the Jaguars.
Of U/SA's roster of 49 players, 19 of them are seniors.
B-B-E's roster features just 2 seniors. Fortunately, for the Jaguars, those seniors are superbly talented: quarterback Aiden Mueller and lineman Tyler Myers. The Jaguars wanted nothing to do with talk about the disparities on paper. The game is played on the field.
After both teams made stops to start the game, the Jaguars came up big on U/SA's punt when Myers blocked the kick. The Jaguars needed just one play to cover the distance of 30 yards after gaining nothing on their first three plays.
What was an early B-B-E lead of 7-0 had the script flipped entirely. The Patriots proceeded to overcome a rash of penalties while utilizing their depth to wear down the Jaguars.
After leading 22-7 at halftime, the Patriots won a 19th straight district game by a 28-7 score.
After the postgame handshakes took place, both football teams gathered at midfield to pray. An unnamed U/SA player stood in the center of the circle of kneeling players to lead the prayer while asking the Lord to bless all players and coaches with good health and safety as the season continues.
In the September 16 Associated Press state rankings, the Jaguars were in a tie for 11th place with Braham.
This week, the Jaguars (2-1) travel to Browerville attempting to spoil the Tigers' Homecoming. The Tigers are also 2-1 with wins of 26-21 over Frazee and 20-8 against Long Prairie-Grey Eagle. Last week, the Tigers lost to visiting West Central Area 14-8.
The attached video features part of a defensive stand where the Jaguars forced a turnover on downs against the Patriots in the third quarter.
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