Connor Gronewald

FAIRMONT — While Fairmont climbed one spot to No. 3 in this week’s Class AAA state football poll and looks to extend its undefeated record, the Cardinals also have their eyes on another prize.

“Fans might not realize our game against Marshall at Southwest Minnesota State (University) has big implications on the (South Central Red) district championship,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney, whose 5-0 lineup squares off against head coach Terry Bahlmann’s Tigers at 7 p.m. Friday night in Marshall. “It’d be a nice addition to our trophy case.”

Fairmont has beaten New Ulm (3-2 overall, 1-1 district) and St. Peter (3-2, 0-1) this fall, with Marshall (3-2, 1-0) and Worthington (0-5, 0-2) ­- next Friday night – remaining on its schedule within the five-team district race.

“We changed districts from a year ago when Waseca won the White championship,” said Mahoney. “We won the White District title in 2021, so why not add the Red championship?”

Mahoney, however, realizes defeating Marshall will be a tough task as Bahlmann’s Tigers enter Week 6 on the heels of back-to-back victories over Tri-City United and Worthington, respectively.

“We came into the season having to replace our entire offensive line, returning only one part-time starter at right tackle (Andrew Cowden),” said Bahlmann. “Our whole backfield graduated from 2022, so we made mistakes early this season and hopefully we have learned from them.

“We put some points on the board the last two weeks against TCU (Tri-City United) and Worthington, so hopefully we’re going in the right direction.”

After posting a 45-0 rout over TCU on Sept. 22, Marshall flattened Worthington 68-6 last Friday night. Junior quarterback Josh Kraft ran for one touchdown and connected with slotback Tate Condezo for another score against the Trojans, while the trio of Mason Eickhoff, Coby Brownlee and Gavin Schaeffer each powered into the end zone via the run. Eickhoff also returned a kickoff 75 yards for another score, while Ethan Hess kicked nine PATs and a 32-yard field goal.

“After watching Marshall on film, we know you can’t make mistakes against them or they’ll make you pay,” said Mahoney, whose own lineup has produced a plus-9 in the turnover category this fall.

Mahoney’s Cardinals also know how to convert opportunities into points as Levi Pooley returned a punt 67 yards for a special-teams TD against New Ulm last Friday night. Fairmont end/linebacker Gage Borntrager also transformed the defense’s seventh interception into the second pick-6 of 2023 at the Eagles’ expense.

“Fairmont’s impressive on film and they’re ranked No. 3 for a reason,” said Bahlmann. “One of the first things that sticks out is Pooley, who’s a big-time playmaker in all three phases of the game for them.

“Fairmont’s tailback, Elijah Johnson, and (Blaze) Geiger, their QB, are two more noticeable standouts. Johnson’s athletic, strong and fast, and can make plays from all over the field, while Geiger does a great job of running the offense extremely effectively and efficiently.”

Johnson generated a game-best 105 yards and two TDs during the Cardinals’ 42-14 win over New Ulm, Geiger completed 14 of 19 passes for 176 yards and two TDs, while Pooley made five receptions for 56 more yards and a score.

“Another thing that really stands out for Fairmont — they have 10 linemen and no two-way starters in that part of the game,” said Bahlmann. “That can take its toll on you as the night progresses.”

Marshall, however, enters this Friday night’s game with only four two-way starters in tailback/free safety Mason Eickhoff, slotback/strong safety Tate Condezo, tight end/outside linebacker Dawson Chappuis and fullback/inside linebacker Coby Brownlee.

“Marshall is big upfront on both sides of the ball, so we’ll have to be ready to get after it in the trenches,” Mahoney said in reference to the Tigers averaging 242 pounds in the offensive line and 233 pounds among the down linemen in Marshall’s 3-4 defensive scheme.