The top seeded SMB Wolfpack came into Tuesday night’s section 3AAAAA semifinal game looking to continue their run towards perfection and a state title. Unfortunately, that run towards perfection and the dream season for SMB came to an end on Oct. 22 with a gut-wrenching 10-7 loss to the Mahtomedi Zephyrs. The Zephyrs marched down the field on their first drive, converting four third downs, including the final one which led to a TD. The next Zephyr started off in similar fashion, however, the Mahtomedi starting quarterback went down with an ankle injury on the fourth play of the drive and never returned to the game. This turned Mahtomedi into a one dimensional team, restricting them to just running the football.

The Wolfpack was unable to get anything going in the first half offensively, only getting a first down in the second quarter on a senior Jake Richardson (MA) run. Richardson was in replacing senior Michael O’Shea who went down with a torn ACL in his left knee. SMB finally managed to score a touchdown on 4th and 1 from the 11 yard line on a jump pass from senior Samuel Pickerign (MA) to sophomore Jesper Salverda. The Wolfpack had several other chnaces to score at the end of the first half and most notably passed up on the opportunity to kick a field goal on the final play of the half, going for the TD. But they were unable to make anything of the opportunities.

The injury situation was not just limited to the offense. Starting defensive tackle Derince Melton was ruled out of the game on Monday with a concussion which forced a lot of shuffling on the defensive line. Sophomore Jake Adams started the game but was replaced on third downs by senior Armaan Gori, usually the starting center, this was key to stopping the high powered running game of the Zephyrs. However, this had an impact on the offensive side of the ball as the O-line was unable to punch to holes in the defensive front that they’re used to.

The second half was mostly a field position battle and the Wolfpack dominated in that department. However, they were just unable to finish drives out. Late in the fourth quarter on a third down near midfield Samuel Pickerign lobbed a ball up to Johnny Erickson who caught the 43 yard bomb and was clear to the endzone but was tripped up at the 22 yard line.  The Wolfpack then had their next three chances stymied and attempted a field goal. Senior Matthew Gibbons (BS) looked like he had drilled the kick, however, it was said to be wide left. The next Zephyr drive Mahtomedi went down the field and drilled a 24 yard field to take a 10-7 lead. The Wolfpack got the ball back with 53.7 seconds left and attempted a few heaves down the field but were unable to get into the endzone or field goal range.

The loss ended the Wolfpack’s season and brings their record to 8-1. Mahtomedi moves on to the section finals.

UPDATE 10/23/15: Michael O’Shea’s injury was originally reported as a hyper-extension of the knee but was later found out to be a torn ACL.