FAIRMONT – No. 5-ranked Fairmont made a strong bid Friday night to climb this upcoming week’s Minnesota Associated Press Class 3A football rankings.

Fairmont’s defense utilized six quarterback sacks, one interception and a fumble recovery to limit top-rated Tri-City United to only 77 total yards of offense, while the Cardinals’ offense churned out 427 yards, including 201 through the air, at Mahoney Field.

Junior quarterback Nate Kallenbach generated 253 total yards of offense, tailback Chris Fausch produced 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while linebacker Cory Lyons and defensive end Hunter Cox made two sacks apiece to pace the Cardinals’ 19-0 South Central Red District victory over the Titans in Fairmont.

“Any time you’re able to defeat the No. 1-ranked team in the state in your class, it’s pretty special,” said Fairmont head coach Mat Mahoney. “It was a total team effort. I thought we dominated all three phases of the game tonight.”

It does not, however, get easier for the undefeated Cardinals as Fairmont (3-0) travels to Mattke Field on the Southwest Minnesota State University campus in Marshall during Week 4 to face the unbeaten Class 4A, No. 3-ranked Tigers next Friday night.

“Our district schedule is a tough one, so we’ll have to start getting prepared for a very good Marshall team next week,” said Mahoney.

TCU and Fairmont played to a scoreless defensive-oriented opening quarter before Lyons, Cox and defensive tackle Kade Fritz recorded two sacks during the Titans’ third offensive series to get the ball back via a punt in good field position.

Fausch and Kallenbach each reeled off 11-yard runs to trigger the Cardinals’ eventual 13-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Kallenbach, who completed 12 of 20 passes for 201 yards, threaded spirals to the sure-handed Lyons out of the backfield to put Fairmont at TCU’s doorstep.

Fausch accelerated through the right side of the line from 4 yards out to stake Fairmont to a 6-0 lead with 9:47 remaining in the first frame.

Jackson Mueller’s quarterback sack as a result of a high snap combined with defensive back Zach Mikel’s tipped pass on fourth down spearheaded TCU’s defensive stand late in the second quarter.

Wyatt Quiring later made a touchdown-saving tackle on Titans’ running back Mason Rutt, who broke loose for a 53-yard sprint over the right side, at the Cardinals’ 27.

Linebacker Cody Freese, end Shyiem Thomas and defensive company then held their ground to keep TCU off of the scoreboard just before halftime.

Lyons scooped up a Titans’ fumble during the third quarter’s early stages only to have TCU’s Rutt return the favor only three snaps later.

Freese, Lyons and Cox engineered another Cardinals’ defensive stand to force another punt, regaining possession at their own 43.

Kallenbach then rifled a pivotal 35-yard pass to Lyons, who maneuvered behind the TCU linebackers to reach the Titans’ 17.

Kallenbach weaved his way to the 10 before Lyons capped the 57-yard scoring march with a TD rumble over the left side. Kallenbach’s PAT kick extended the Cardinals’ lead to 13-0 with 1:48 left in the third quarter.

Christian Engeman then delivered an incredible one-handed interception – his team-leading third of the season – to put Fairmont in business at the TCU 38.

Kallenbach threaded a pass to tight end Brady Allen, who carried Titan defenders to the 14 for a 29-yard pickup.

Fausch later pounded out 12 yards to the 3 before bulldozing through traffic for the TD for a 19-0 lead with 11:58 remaining in regulation.

Cox later delivered another quarterback sack and blocked a pass by Titans’ signal-caller Peyton Collins before Fausch dropped Collins for a 12-yard loss to put the game in the books.

Kallenbach gained 52 yards on 18 carries, while Lyons displayed his multi-tasking skills by netting 48 yards and one TD on nine totes to complement a game-best five catches for 54 yards. Austin Schwidder pocketed three catches for 69 yards for the Cardinals.

Rutt produced a team-best 71 yards on 11 carries, while Zach Mikel made three receptions for 28 yards.

Fairmont (3-0) travels to Marshall next Friday night for another district game, while Tri-City United (2-1) plays host to Worthington at 7 p.m. next Friday night in Montgomery.

TCU 0 0 0 0 – 0

FHS 0 6 7 6 – 19

Scoring Plays

1st Quarter

No scoring.

2nd Quarter

F-Chris Fausch 4 run (kick failed), 9:47.

3rd Quarter

F-Cory Lyons 10 run (Nate Kallenbach kick), 1:48.

4th Quarter

F-Fausch 3 run (kick failed), 11:58.

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs: Fairmont 20; Tri-City United 4. Rushing: Fairmont 53-226; Tri-City United 23-33. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 12-20-0-201; Tri-City United 6-13-1-44. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 4-2; Tri-City United 1-1. Penalties: Fairmont 6-53; Tri-City United 3-20.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Offense: Rushing: Fausch (F) 22-98, Kallenbach (F) 18-52, Lyons (F) 9-48; Mason Rutt (TCU) 11-71. Passing: Kallenbach (F) 12-20-0-201; Peyton Collins (TCU 5-9-1-30, Jack Skluzacek (TCU) 1-4-0-14. Receiving: Fairmont: Lyons 5-54, Austin Schwidder 3-69, Sam Schwieger 1-30, Brady Allen 1-29, Christian Engeman 1-17. TCU: Zach Mikel 3-28, Evan Wood 1-13, Rutt 1-6.

Defense: Interception: Engeman (F). Fumble recoveries: Lyons (F), Zach Sexe (TCU) and Rutt (TCU). QB sacks: Lyons (F) and Hunter Cox (F) 2 each.