Austin Bassett 7 catches for 68 yards
(photos contributed by Just for Kids Photography)
Farmington football tradition includes the team serenading its fans with a hoarse, not always on-key rendition of the school fight song after every victory.
Since the second week of the 2010 season, however, the Tiger voices had been silent. That's what happens when you lose nine games in a row.
But the Tiger chorus was in full concert form Friday night after a rousing come-from-behind 17-14 Missota Conference win over Chanhassen at Tiger Stadium.
Farmington erased a 14-3 halftime deficit with a relentless no-huddle offense sparked by the strong right arm of junior quarterback Darren Beenken and a big-play defense that kept the Storm out of the end zone over the final two quarters.
The win not only snapped the year and a week losing streak but from the smiles on the players' and coaches' faces, it pumped new life into the 2011 season.
"Our goal coming in was to put four quarters of good football together," coach Mark Froehling said. "In the first two games we put together one good first half and one good second half.
"I thought our coaches and players did a good job of preparation for this game. They put themselves in a position to win. I'm proud of all of them."
The possibility for that win seemed remote, however, when the visiting Storm hit the halftime break holding an 11-point lead.
"We told the kids at halftime that we had to stick to what we were doing," Froehling said. "We were beating ourselves in the first half with penalties, missed assignments and dropped passes."
One thing Froehling liked in the first half was his team's ability to move the ball with its hurry-up offense. Beenken utilized the no-huddle look to drive deep into Chanhassen territory late in the first half only to be thwarted by a tipped ball that turned into a drive-killing interception.
Sophomore place-kicker Reid Taubenheim accounted for the only Farmington points of the opening half with a 33-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Storm clouds began together again early in the third period when the visitors marched all the way to the Tiger eight-yard line before an alert Blake Weinand came up with a fumble recovery that would turn the game around.
Beenken promptly sent his team into full no-huddle mode and the results were impressive. The Tigers marched 92 yards in 12 plays, chewing up the clock and the Storm secondary in the process. Beenken completed all four of his passes in the march capped by Ather Ashton's one yard touchdown run.
Darren Beenken 23 for 38, 206 yards, touchdown
The gang-tacking Tiger defense shutout Chanhassen in the second half
(photos contributed by Just for Kids Photography)
The swarming Tiger defense held on the next Storm possession and Beenken and Company re-took control, this time driving 68 yards in 12 plays for what proved to be the winning score midway through the final period.
The game-winner came in dramatic fashion with Beenken hitting Dillon Jones in the right corner of the north end zone with a nine-yard strike on a clutch fourth down and six play.
Assistant coach Lew Miskowicz is the architect of the new-look Tiger spread offense and he was elated with his unit's performance.
"These guys have spent a lot of time and put in a lot of hard work learning this system," he said. "It's nice to see them experience success with it."
Not to be lost in the shuffle was the improved play of the inexperienced offensive line that gave Beenken plenty of time to find his receivers as well as Ashton some room to roam.
Once the Tigers took the lead the defense stepped to center stage. Andrew Peterson came up with a big pass interception that ended one drive and Kevin Olund's 61-yard punt pinned the Storm deep in its own territory on.
"I thought we did a good job of running to the ball all night," Froehling said. "They (Chanhassen) have a tough offense to defend. They have big splits in their line and you have to be play smart."
When all was said and done, Beenken finished with a career-best 23 completions in 38 attempts for 206 yards, a touchdown and an interception. In three games, he has thrown for 587 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 63.2 percent of his passes (55 for 87).
"Darren has a good grasp of the offense and the the ability to see the entire field," Froehling said.
Austin Bassett led the receiving corps with seven catches for 68 yards. Jones and Nathan Graham each caught six, Jones for 48 yards and Graham for 51.
Ashton had another solid night running the ball, picking up 97 yards on 28 carries and recording his second touchdown of the season. The junior speedster has gained 192 yards in his past two outings.
Four Tiger defenders-Drew Hegseth, Mason Auge, Ryan Schoening and Weinand--tied for the lead in tackles with six apiece. Schoening had to leave the game with a first half leg injury and did not return.
The Tigers hope to make it two in a row next Friday night when they entertain defending Missota Conference champion Shakopee at Tiger Stadium. The Sabers are 3-0 after defeating Chaska 49-22 Friday night.
