Alexandria outlasts unbeaten Moorhead in shootout to secure 2nd-straight Section 8-5A football title

Cardinals rally for 21-0 halftime deficit, win 35-28 in overtime

Alexandria wins its second consecutive Class 5A, Section 8 championship with comeback victory over Moorhead

Trailing 21-0 at halftime, the Alexandria Cardinals rallied for a 35-28 overtime victory over Moorhead in a thrilling Section 8-5A championship game on Friday, Oct. 28.

The Cardinals' comeback was sparked by a 65-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cade Edwards to wide receiver Max Carlson on the opening drive of the second half.

Edwards finished the game with 300 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Carlson had 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The Cardinals also got a big performance from running back Jack West, who rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

Moorhead, which entered the game undefeated at 8-0, was led by quarterback Jake Rodriguez. Rodriguez passed for 250 yards and two touchdowns, but was also intercepted twice.

The Cardinals' defense came up with a big play in overtime, as defensive back Ethan Johnson intercepted a pass from Rodriguez in the end zone. Alexandria then drove down the field and kicked a field goal to win the game.

The Cardinals' victory is their second consecutive Section 8-5A championship. They will now advance to the Class 5A state quarterfinals, where they will face the Section 7-5A champion, the St. Cloud Tech Tigers.

Cardinals rally for 21-0 halftime deficit

The Cardinals entered the game as underdogs, as Moorhead was undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state. However, Alexandria showed no fear in the first half, as they marched down the field on their opening drive and took an early 7-0 lead.

Moorhead answered back with a touchdown of their own, but the Cardinals defense came up with a big play late in the first quarter, as they intercepted a pass from Rodriguez and returned it for a touchdown.

The Cardinals extended their lead to 21-7 in the second quarter, but Moorhead scored two touchdowns in the final minutes of the half to take a 21-14 lead into the break.

Edwards, Carlson lead Cardinals' comeback

The Cardinals came out firing in the second half, as Edwards hit Carlson for a 65-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive. The Cardinals then tied the game at 21-21 with a 1-yard touchdown run by West.

Moorhead regained the lead in the fourth quarter with a 35-yard field goal, but the Cardinals answered back with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Edwards to Carlson.

The Cardinals had a chance to win the game in regulation, but they missed a field goal with just seconds remaining.

Johnson's interception seals the victory

The game went to overtime, and Moorhead got the ball first. However, the Cardinals' defense came up with a big play, as Johnson intercepted a pass from Rodriguez in the end zone.

The Cardinals then drove down the field and kicked a field goal to win the game.

Cardinals advance to state quarterfinals

With the win, the Cardinals advance to the Class 5A state quarterfinals, where they will face the Section 7-5A champion, the St. Cloud Tech Tigers.

The game will be played on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Alexandria High School football field.