ESKO-Advancing to the state tournament a year ago, the Lumberjacks look like they’re going to pick up where they left off.
Confidently controlling each aspect of Friday's season-opener against rival Esko, the Lumberjacks (1-0) won 30-8, in the Eskomos' first-ever loss at the new Esko Stadium on a low 60-degree, misty, foggy night.
The night's dreary weather was the complete opposite of last year's muggy contest - won 19-18 by Cloquet when then-quarterback Maxx Brenner scored with 3.4 seconds left - yet, finished with the same result.
Now under center is cornerback-turned-quarterback Nate Weets, a senior who scorched Esko for 127 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Weets, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound right-hander, danced into the end zone on his 14-yard keeper in the second quarter, one dominated by the Lumberjacks, which scored three times and led 21-0 by halftime in the lopsided game.
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"We were ready for this one ... I was at home waiting all day for 7 o'clock to come around," Weets said. "I thought we looked good. We were well-prepared."
Perhaps the most prepared part of Cloquet was its defense. While Cloquet’s offense accumulated over 230 rushing yards - including TDs from seniors Hunter Roberts, Zach Gerlach and a 23-yard field goal via Nate Niemi - Esko, conversely, ran for just over 130 yards, while junior quarterback Nick Emanuel completed only 5 of 15 passes for 46 yards.
Esko’s backup quarterback, senior Aaron Nelson, was intercepted by Cloquet senior Brady Obeidzinski, who returned the ball 19 yards for a touchdown.
“I really feel our defense set the tone," 13th-year Cloquet Coach Tom Lenarz said. "It was fun to watch. They really rose to the occasion."
Esko (0-1) scored on senior David Belden's 6-yard run with 50 seconds remaining in the final quarter.
In addition to their struggles on the scoreboard, the Eskomos piled up plenty of yellow flags on the artificial surface, not making it any easier for an inexperienced team, said 24th-year Coach Bill Hudspith.
“We just got rattled out there,” said Hudspith, still upbeat afterward. “We just have some nervous kids and this was their first varsity game. Hopefully we learn from this and next week they don't have those nerves because now they're veterans.”
Speaking of veterans, Cloquet senior running back Kyle Klatt went down for roughly 25 minutes midway through the third quarter with a possible neck injury and was wheeled off in a stretcher to an ambulance. Indicating no major concern, Klatt raised his right thumb to the crowd as he left, drawing a large applause.
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On Wednesday morning, Lenarz said Klatt has been cleared to play this week, adding that he and the trainers will always play it safe if there’s even a chance of a neck injury. Next time, he added, he will have the announcers let the crowd know what’s going on so people don’t worry as much.
“Kyle is tough,” said classmate Gerlach. “You don't see him go to the ground often. He's a big part of our team.”
That team, with many returned from last year's squad that went to the state tournament for the first time since 1987, is looking good.
“It was definitely a team effort,” said Lenarz. “We felt as if we would be pretty good defensively, but it's hard to say until you actually play someone else. The kids did some really nice things [tonight]. If we continue to get better every week, then we'll be in good shape. We'll compete with anyone this year.”
Hudspith also gave Cloquet a thumbs up.
“Cloquet's got some horsepower,” said Hudspith. “They're a team that if they need a first down, they get a first down. They're a very confident, relaxed team. Today they were better.”
