by Tim Kolehmainen
The BREAKDOWN
(posted 9/13/2008)
Photos of the game are available at http://photo21.dotphoto.com
HAWLEY – When Hawley football coach Peder Naatz stops to ponder whether this is the best Nuggets team in his tenure at the school, that’s a considerable compliment. For in his years, Naatz has seen plenty of good football.
The Nuggets have dominated play in the northwestern quadrant of Minnesota, particularly in the past three seasons. But moving indoors out of the crisp fall air hasn’t been as kind. Hawley has lost in the state semifinals at the Metrodome in each of those three years.
The run started in 2005, when the Nuggets suffered their first loss of the season in the Class AA semifinals to Caledonia. The next season, powerful Triton blitzed Hawley, 41-0, in the semifinals en route to an overpowering state title. Last year, the Nuggets fell 35-20 to eventual Class AA champion Caledonia.
“These guys that are starting now as seniors have been in three state semifinal games,” said Naatz. “They know that they’re on the edge of it. They’re looking at taking that next step and if you can get to that game, anything can happen.”
So is this the Nuggets team to finally break through?
“Overall, we have the most experience – not the most depth – but the most experience and the most talent we’ve had in a very long time,” said Naatz.
It’s tough to argue with the results thus far. After beating up on visiting Frazee (0-3) Friday night, 54-8, the Nuggets (3-0) are rolling.
In those first three games, no one has come within five touchdowns of Hawley. They’re averaging 54.7 points per game – and much of that has come in just the first half of their blowouts. Against the Hornets, Hawley led 48-0 at the half before pulling back the reins.
 How difficult is it to keep the kids focused through what figures to be an unbeaten – and untested – regular season?
“That’s the toughest part right now. You go looking for stuff to feed these kids to make them hungry and get them ornery,” said Naatz.
On offense, the Nuggets have one of the state’s most dynamic juniors in running back Nate Mattson. Always known for his quickness, Mattson has added power to his game this fall. He showcased both against Frazee, ripping off the first three scores on blistering runs of 43 and 44 yards and a 2-yard head-lowering bull rush.
“Nate changed his game a little bit to make it about more than speed. He’s toned up, he’s stronger and he’s just more physical right now,” said Naatz.
Despite being featured for less than a half, Mattson finished with 151 yards rushing, 83 yards receiving and a combined four touchdowns. The Nuggets didn’t slow down much when sophomore Kevin Olson took the lead role. He rushed for 116 yards and another touchdown, displaying much of the same speed and power.
Naatz likes the aggressiveness his team showed Friday night behind a powerful offensive line known as the “Hawley Hogs” that includes seniors Brock Bjornson, Jared Peters and Kasey Okke and juniors Tyler Haugtvedt and Erik Rosenfeldt. They average nearly 6-foot-2, 230 pounds across the line, impressive numbers for a Class AA school.
“We’re really big across the front line,” said Naatz.
 And Hawley isn’t just one-sided. Quarterbacks Beau Sorenson and Taylor Harms can both sling it. Last year, they topped 1,400 yards passing, more than the previous two seasons combined for Naatz’s Nuggets.
Hawley’s defense is rarely tested during the regular season, but Friday night it looked big and fast – a tough combination for any foe. With Rosenfeldt and Haugtvedt plugging up the middle and making it impossible to run inside, quick linebackers like Andrew Regnier, Aaron Schenck and Matt Guida are free to chase everything down outside.
For most teams on its regular season slate, Hawley is too much to handle. A likely Section 8AA final showdown with unbeaten Pelican Rapids and quarterback Tydan Sorrusten appears to be the only roadblock to another state tournament appearance for the Nuggets.
What they do once they get there will finally give Naatz the answer to the question: “Is this the best Nuggets team ever?” |
