Indians cap

dream year,

holding off

WAO, 13-12

By PAUL DUNLAP

Journal Sports Editor

MINNEAPOLIS -- State championships are becoming common at Sleepy Eye High.

The Indians' Bryce Belseth batted away a two-point conversion pass in the fourth quarter and the defense made it hold up as Sleepy Eye High edged Warren-Alvarado-Oslo 13-12 for the Class 1A championship at the Metrodome Friday afternoon.

The Indians, who also won the 2000 Class 1A baseball title, finish 12-2. The Ponies suffered their first loss, ending 13-1.

"Warren ... man, they're a lot better than I thought they were going to be," Sleepy Eye High coach Dean Deibele said. "Somehow we just found a way to win it ... we're just so thankful.

"It's the ultimate to see these kids come to the Dome, and realize that final dream."

After a Jose Saenz sack halted the Ponies' opening drive, the Indians drew first blood. Taking over on the Sleepy Eye High 32, Belseth directed a 14-play drive, capped with a 3-yard run by Saenz.

"It (the first score) is key without a doubt, because it lets the kids relax a little bit," Deibele said. "Getting that first score gives the kids confidence, and from then on we knew we could at least play with (WAO)."

"We had to fight and claw for every thing we got today," Belseth said. "They (WAO) are tough and quick, and it was a real battle."

Sleepy Eye High's defense shined throughout the first half. Saenz made a huge tackle on quarterback Jordan Aakre to stop an 11-play WAO drive early in the second quarter, and Cody Walter stepped in front of an Aakre pass for an interception later on in the stanza. The Indians took the ball and drove 10 plays to run out the clock while still holding the 6-0 edge.

In the third, the Ponies engineered an 80-yard drive in nine plays, ending with Brett Lindenberg's 13-yard touchdown run to knot the game at 6-all. Lindenberg, who came into the game with 2,220 yards rushing, finished with 183 yards on 33 carries.

"That (Lindenberg) is a fantastic football player," Deibele said. "He's extremely talented, but I thought our kids stuck right there with him."

The Indians answered right back, marching 77 yards in 12 plays. Walter had runs of 19 and 16 yards on the drive, ending when he busted in from two yards out with 10:47 left in the game. Jeremy Ibberson added the all-important extra point, and the lead was seven.

"They bounced right back in the third," Deibele said of the Ponies. "I was happy with the fact that we came back right after that and got that lead back."

Lindenberg cut the Indians lead to one with an 8-yard run. The Indians needed a stop.

Belseth provided it. The junior came in on Aakre and timed his jump perfectly, knocking down the two-point pass to preserve the lead.

"I saw (Aakre) roll out, and I knew I couldn't get to him," he said. "So the next best thing to do is get my hands up and hope for a deflection. Thank God, I did."

The Indians went three-and-out on their next possession, but Walter came through with a 50-yard punt that buried WAO at its 14. The Ponies, behind Lindenberg, marched the ball to the Sleepy Eye High 19 before Lindenberg was stuffed on a 4th-and-2 with :38 left.

"I really can't put it into words ... our defense was just incredible," Belseth said. "Whenever we need a big play, like that fourth down, we just seem to come through in the clutch."

Two knees, and the Indians were state champs.

"The great thing is that nobody expected anything from us in football," Belseth said. "I think that (baseball title) in the spring just carried us over to the fall. This is just a dream come true."

Saenz pounded for 111 yards on 17 carries to lead the Indians; Walter added 86 yards on 13 carries. Belseth was 5 of 8 for 35 yards passing.

Isak Rasmus and Marty Hoffmann gain led the Indians defense. Rasmus had 11 tackles and Hoffmann 10.

"I was worried there late in the third and early in the fourth quarters," Deibele said. "(But) our kids stepped up and made some fantastic plays. ... This is the greatest feeling in the world that a coach could have."

SLEEPY EYE HIGH 6 0 0 7 -- 13

W-A-O 0 0 6 6 -- 12

FIRST QUARTER

SE--Saenz 3 run (kick blocked) 2:24.

SECOND QUARTER

No scoring

THIRD QUARTER

WAO--Lindenberg 13 run (pass failed) 3:48.

FOURTH QUARTER

SE--Walter 2 run (Ibberson kick) 10:47.

WAO--Lindenberg 8 run (pass failed) 7:45.