by Noah Grant/Sports Director/@noahgrant_23

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. – On a rainy Friday evening, it looked like St. Cloud Tech football’s key to success might have to be on the ground. The stage appeared to be set for another big day from senior running back MarQwon Brown, or maybe freshman back Malachi Jensen.

Instead, the Tigers used the air to defeat the Breck Mustangs. Junior wide receiver Everett Stine had four touchdown receptions in the first half alone, as all five Tech touchdowns came on pass plays.

The evening started promisingly for St. Cloud Tech. On the game’s opening drive, the Tigers took the ball all the way to the Breck 4-yard line. The drive would stall out, and the Tigers would go for it on fourth and goal but come up empty.

The Mustangs run-heavy offense took to the field, and with it came a chance for redemption for the Tigers. Tech had allowed Sartell to rush for 400 yards the week prior in a 34-20 loss.

The past week’s woes did not carry over. The Tigers quickly forced a three-and-out, stopping three consecutive running plays.

The Tigers started at their own 40-yard line after a good Breck punt, but would back up quickly after two offensive penalties. On second down and 15, senior quarterback Andrew Brown found Stine over the middle. The speedy receiver went untouched into the end zone for a 65-yard touchdown reception. The Tigers’ two-point conversion attempt would be unsuccessful.

After another solid defensive stand for the Tigers, the Brown-to-Stine connection would strike again. This time, it was an 18-yard pass to the right corner of the end zone. The two-point conversion would find senior Henry Condon to make it 14-0 Tigers. The running game would also be strong for the Tigers, with several good runs by both MarQwon Brown and Jensen on the drive.

Stine had two more touchdown receptions in the half, including a 35-yard reception with one minute left in the half. Senior Evan Ebnet-Cox kicked both extra points to make it 28-0.

Tech continued to stymie the Breck offense, as the Mustangs were unable to move the ball past the 50-yard line until the final minute of the first half.

The Mustangs would come out throwing the ball in the second half and were able to move the chains and pick up two first downs. The drive would stall well outside of field goal range, however, as penalties backed up the Mustangs.

The Tigers would round out the scoring midway through the third quarter on another long passing play. Andrew Brown found sophomore Matt Remer for a 58-yard catch and run touchdown. The Tigers again went for two and Andrew Brown flipped a pass to MarQwon Brown to make it 36-0.

The Tigers improve to 2-1 on the season with the win. Tech returns home on Friday for a postseason rematch with Detroit Lakes. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game can be heard on 97.5 RadioX.