Le-Suer Henderson football ready to turn page
After a rough 2016, the Giants are hoping 2017 brings them better fortune
The Le-Sueur-Henderson Giants struggled for most of the 2016 season. Going 1-8 last year, the Giant’s expect this young team to take a step forward and compete for plenty of wins.
Head coach Mike May is back for his sixth season on the sidelines and is armed with plenty of returning starters after losing only a handful of players from last year’s team. Some of the key returners include offensive/defensive lineman Mitchell Borchardt, an All-Conference honorable mention and senior captain, Jared Miller, the Giants starting quarterback and defensive back who will be in his third year under center, and some others as well.
The Giants have played only two games but have already equaled their number of wins from last fall with an opening victory in Sherburn, Minnesota over Martin County West 24-0.
This game was never close as Le Sueur–Henderson got on the board early and often. Senior quarterback Jared Miller got the season rolling with a 15-yard rushing touchdown early in the game to take the 7-0 lead.
A couple minutes into the following quarter, the Giants kicker hit a 40-yard field goal to put LSH up 10-0. The very next possession, running back Gabe Webster ran the ball in from 15-yards to send Martin County West to the locker room staring down a 17-point deficit.
Both teams came out relatively flat and no team could put points up on the board until three minutes were left to go in the game. Running back Gabe Webster once again hit pay dirt as he scored from the goal line, giving him his second, and the game’s final score.
The following week’s home opener features Le Sueur/Henderson’s first true test of the season as they were hosting a 2016 state quarterfinal participant in Norwood Young America. This game would serve as a measuring stick to see how the much the Giants have improved.
The Raiders started fast against the Giants. Running back Tim Wolf scampered 75-yards to give NYA an early 6-0 lead. The Giants responded well however as Mitchell Borchardt put the ball across the goal line from one yard out and with a successful extra point making it 7-6 while letting the Raiders know they are in for a dog fight.
Norwood Young America extended the lead to 12-7 that went unanswered by the Giants. The Raiders forced a fumble in the fourth giving them good field position and a potential opportunity to end the game. They did just that as Wolf put the ball across the plain yet again to push the game out of reach with just minutes left.
Although Le Sueur did not come out victorious, they played a very talented team tough showing that this team has improved a ton from the 2016 season.
Le Sueur/Henderson is sitting at 3-2 on the season and will face Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, New Richland-H-E-G and Maple River to close out their regular season.