A brutal 44-7 drubbing at the hands of the unbeaten Pierz Pioneers brought Albany’s state quarterfinal run to a screeching halt, but don’t let that final score fool you one bit: this program is still absolutely elite. The Section 8AAA champions ended their season with a strong 8-3 record, capping off their third trip to state in four years and securing their 13th consecutive winning season.
The Game That Got Away
From the opening whistle, it looked like Albany might have a real shot at making some noise. Senior quarterback Cohen Habben immediately handed off an option read to senior running back Judah Allen, who absolutely gashed Pierz’s defense for a massive 35-yard gain. That was the highlight though, because the Pioneers quickly flexed their muscle. Brayden Foust punched it in from 24 yards, Preston Saehr connected with Tyler Kimman for a 35-yard score, and Paul Nieman powered through from 10 yards. Just like that, it was 21-0 and the Huskies were reeling heading into the second quarter.
Albany tried to fight back, capitalizing on a muffed punt. Senior Dylan Hoffarth plunged in for a one-yard touchdown, making it 21-7. They even held Pierz to a field goal, trailing just 24-7 at halftime after a seriously turbulent first 24 minutes. The second half started with a huge opportunity. Quarterback Habben scanned the field, and Emmett Rushmeyer was WIDE open, flying past defenders with nothing but green grass ahead. Coach Mike Ellingson even admitted, “If we complete that ball, all of a sudden it’s a 10-point game. I think the Huskies may make it a different game, right?” But the ball sailed just out of reach, leading to yet another punt.
Ellingson didn’t mince words after the game about the Pioneers: “You’ve got a juggernaut in Pierz.” He recognized their “explosive” offense and a defense that “fly[ies] around and take[s] away what you do best.” Brayden Foust added another 46-yard score in the third, and Sawyer Lochner and Parker Kimman sealed the deal with final jabs. The Huskies were simply outmatched by the No. 5 team in the state. “They’ve got so many dynamic players, and they won the line of scrimmage tonight, too,” Ellingson said. “These kids battled adversity through it all.”
More Than Just a Loss
Yeah, the scoreboard stung, and missing out on U.S. Bank Stadium is tough. But let’s be real, this Albany program is built different. This loss, as tough as it was, doesn’t erase what they accomplished. They snatched their third sectional title in four years. Think about that: *three* in four years! That’s their 24th overall, by the way. And they didn’t just win, they built a culture of winning, stretching their consecutive winning seasons streak to a mind-blowing 13. Finishing 8-3 with a schedule that clearly tested them speaks volumes.
It’s easy to focus on the final game, but Albany clearly “sets the tone” for what’s ahead. Coach Ellingson called the sectional title a “consolation prize,” and you can tell from the sound of it, it’s a pretty darn good one. This isn’t a team that’s going away. They’ve established themselves as perennial contenders, and while this year’s state run ended earlier than they hoped, the foundation for future success is rock solid.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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