Providence Academy football is 2-1

Week 4 of the high school football season is a big one for Providence Academy.

The Lions travel to Mound Westonka at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, looking for their third win of 2024.

“I am still waiting for us to play our best football,” said Lions head coach Colin Rooney, whose team has wins over Byron and Chisago Lakes along with a loss to the state’s No. 1-ranked team, Becker.

Providence Academy filled up the stat sheet with running and passing yardage during a 28-18 victory over Chisago Lakes Sept. 13 in Plymouth. Senior quarterback Magnus Hansen had the hot hand, completing 22 of 33 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. His quarterback rating for the game was 96.8. He had a 19-yard rushing touchdown.

Peyton Bartz, a 5-11, 200-pound senior, keyed the Providence rushing attack with 18 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. Hansen, Joe Berghult and Grant Sandell combined for 46 rushing yards to make the Lions’ total 156.

“Chisago Lakes was 2-0 and ranked in the state,” coach Rooney said. “They run a wishbone triple-option that is tough to defend. We had only two defensive breakdowns.

“On offense, Magnus didn’t play a perfect game, but he played great. He has not been sacked this year.”

Providence Academy is relying heavily on its senior class. Everyone knows about the big tackle Abu Tarawallie, who will play for the University of Minnesota next season. And Hansen is gaining notoriety as one of the state’s leading passers.

“We have been good with our defensive assignments,” coach Rooney said. “Our two linebackers, Joe Berghult and Grant Sandell, were all over the field against Chisago Lakes. Joe made 10 tackles, including two sacks, and forced a fumble. Grant led us with 11 tackles.”

Tarawallie, out with an injury last season, has made a nice recovery. “He had his best game against Chisago Lakes,” coach Rooney said. “He is shaking the rust off and we are ready to turn him loose.”

Mound Westonka has been a good rival for Providence Academy throughout Rooney’s six seasons as head coach. “We had a shootout with them last year,” Rooney said. “We passed for almost 400 yards, Mound Westonka ran for almost 300.”

Friday night’s game is Mound Westonka’s homecoming and the stands will be a sea of red - the Whitehawks’ home color.