Week 4 Recap - Fairmont 46, Austin 0
Six different Cardinals net TDs in 46-0 rout of Packers
By Charlie Sorrells
Web Prep Writer
FAIRMONT – Fairmont’s Boe Kolbe boomed punts during Friday night’s pregame warmups, but he never stepped onto Thomas Mahoney Field for an actual punt during Week 4’s football clash with the Austin Packers.
The hometown Cardinals – who had not scored in the previous nine quarters – converted all five of their first-half offensive possessions into touchdowns and mixed in a pair of punt returns for scores to coast to a 46-0 victory over the Packers and make shutout losses in Weeks 2 and 3 evaporate into thin air.
“We clicked on all cylinders tonight, with six different players contributing touchdowns to our balanced performance,” said Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney. “We found our offensive identity through our running game – 229 yards, our defense played lights out by keeping Austin off the scoreboard and limiting them to 115 total yards, and obviously, our special teams delivered two huge plays.
“In all my years of coaching and playing this game, I can’t remember seeing two punt returns by the same team returned for touchdowns.”
Brayden Williamson – who combined with Carter Hanson for the pair of special-team gems – utilized a 20-yard punt return following Fairmont’s initial three-and-out defensive stand to put the Cardinals’ offense in business at the Packers’ 40. Keyon Schutz delivered rushes of 7 and 9 yards during the eight-play drive before powering his way into the end zone from 5 yards out to stake Fairmont to a quick 6-0 lead at the 7:55 mark.
Linebacker Mason Bicknase’s key stop of an Austin run for a 3-yard loss helped Fairmont’s defense force another punt and Williamson reeled off 32 yards on the return to gain the Packers’ 18. Ryder Thate – who topped the Cardinals’ offense with 104 yards on only nine totes – generated 10 yards on the ground in reaching the 1 before Jensen Livesay plowed across the line on a quarterback keeper for a 12-0 lead with 4:23 to go in the opening quarter.
Travohn Harvey later intercepted Austin quarterback Eli Arndt’s toss at the Cardinals’ 18 before Fairmont erupted for two long-distance gainers. Livesay – who completed 7 of 11 passes for 111 yards – zipped a 26-yard completion to Bicknase before Thate sprinted around right end and accelerated by the Packers’ secondary for a 37-yard TD. Boe Kolbe kicked the PAT to stake Fairmont to a 19-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Landon Traetow’s tackle for a double-digit loss of yards pinned Austin on the next series and forced a punt. Williamson fielded it, followed the Cardinal wedge’s sealing wall 55 yards to paydirt and turned a somersault into the end zone for the creative TD. Kolbe kicked the PAT for a 26-0 lead at the 10:06 juncture of the second quarter.
“I hope the fans enjoyed the somersault because it’ll be the last one I do since I got a 15-yard penalty for it,” said a grinning Williamson.
Defensive lineman Reed Johnson later tipped Austin’s fourth-and-5 pass attempt at the line of scrimmage to regain possession for Fairmont at its own 39. Livesay chewed up 23 yards on a screen to Brock Rodning before capping the seven-play scoring drive with a 21-yard strike to Williamson, who eluded a would-be Packer tackler for the breakaway TD. Kolbe’s kick made it 33-0 with 6:01 remaining before intermission.
Linebacker Caiden Utesch and defensive company created another three-and-out sequence by the Packers before Carter Hanson delivered a historical punt return. Hanson alertly caught the kick on the run at Austin’s 45 and outsprinted every potential Packer tackler for a TD. Kolbe kicked the PAT for a 40-point margin with 4:14 left before halftime.
After Fairmont delivered another three-and-out series, Livesay connected with Williamson on a pivotal 31-yard pass play into the left flat to reach the 3. Bicknase maneuvered up the middle for the score to cap the Cardinals’ point production at 46 with 12 seconds to go before intermission.
Fairmont linebacker Alex Fredriksen’s steal of the football from an Austin runner at the 3-yard line and ensuing 57-yard fumble return highlighted a scoreless second half.
Fairmont (2-2) plays host to Albert Lea for Homecoming next Friday night (Oct. 2) at 7 PM back at Thomas Mahoney Field. Austin (0-4) plays host to Plainview-Elgin-Millville at 7 PM next Friday at Wescott Sports Complex.
Austin 0 0 0 0 – 0
Fairmont 19 27 0 0 – 46
SCORING PLAYS
1st Quarter
FHS: Keyon Schutz 5 run (conversion failed), 7:55.
FHS: Jensen Livesay 1 run (kick failed), 4:23.
FHS: Ryder Thate 37 run (Boe Kolbe kick), 0:00.
2nd Quarter
FHS: Brayden Williamson 55 punt return (Boe Kolbe kick), 10:06.
FHS: Brayden Williamson 21 pass from Jensen Livesay (Boe Kolbe kick), 6:01.
FHS: Carter Hanson 45 punt return (Boe Kolbe kick), 4:14.
FHS: Mason Bicknase 3 run (kick failed), 0:12.
3rd Quarter
No Scoring.
4th Quarter
No Scoring.
TEAM STATISTICS
First Downs: Fairmont 16; Austin 10. Rushing: Fairmont 40-229; Austin 26-57. Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards): Fairmont 7-11-0-111; Austin 6-17-1-58. Fumbles-lost: Fairmont 1-0; Austin 3-1. Penalties: Fairmont 3-31; Austin 3-30.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Offense: Rushing: Fairmont: Ryder Thate 9-104, Mason Bicknase 7-42, Keyon Schutz 5-30. Austin: Lukas Jorgenson 13-50. Passing: Jensen Livesay (FHS) 7-11-0-111; Eli Arndt (A) 6-17-1-58. Receiving: Fairmont: Brayden Williamson 3-50, Mason Bicknase 2-30, Brock Rodning 1-23, Preston Geerdes 1-8. Austin: Jamison Bastyr 3-22, Talan Hall 2-14, Lukas Jorgenson 1-22.
Defense: Interception: Travohn Harvey (FHS). Fumble Recovery: Alex Frederiksen (FHS).
Fairmont punter Boe Kolbe (23) takes a long snap from Reed Johnson during Friday night’s warmups. Ir
Welcome
We would like to invite you to become part of the Cardinal football program in Fairmont by participating on a tackle football team in the fall. 2026 marks the 21st year of tackle football for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade boys. The results have been very positive for the boys involved. They had fun, learned principles of teamwork and sportsmanship, and began developing the fundamental skills of football.
RULES AND GOALS
- To Develop Fundamental Football Skills
- To Work and Play as a Team, NOT as an Individual
- To Have FUN at Practices and Games
- To Do Our Best at ALL Times
- To Maintain Good Sportsmanship at ALL Times
ELEMENTARY FOOTBALL REGISTRATION & INFORMATION
Registration is Closed
15th Annual Fairmont Football Golf Fund-raiser Fri., Aug. 8
By Charlie Sorrells Fairmont Football Association Contributor
FAIRMONT – If one’s looking to ‘get their steps in’ while helping the Fairmont Cardinal football program continue to thrive, then break out the golf clubs and head to Interlaken Golf Club in Fairmont on Friday, Aug. 8.
The Fairmont Area Football Association will hold its 15th annual golf fund-raiser, which tees off via a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Golfers registering prior to the Sunday, July 20, deadline will receive a quarter-zip Cardinal pull-over the day of the event. Players can sign up at the association’s website – www.fairmontareafootball.com – and pay the best-ball event’s entry fee by Paypal, Venmo or credit card. Anyone registering prior to the July 20 deadline should list their pull-over size on the entry form.
Proceeds
All proceeds from the annual tournament go toward purchasing concussion-protocol helmets; youth football programs’ gear; varsity practice jerseys; and new scoreboards for both the Fairmont elementary field and the high school’s practice facility. The in-house funds also will help defray costs for improvements to Thomas Mahoney Field – along with expenses for weekly meals and after-game food for the players – and provide funding for scholarships for camps. “The golf outing has evolved into a major fund-raiser in terms of making sure ‘our shelves are stocked,’ so to speak, for each upcoming football season at every level of the program,” said Fairmont head football coach/activities director Mat Mahoney.
Silent Auction
“There are a lot of moving parts to the golf tournament, and without all the important people organizing it, making generous donations in sponsoring the event, and of course, all of the alumni and area supporters playing in the outing, we wouldn’t be able to maintain our program’s tradition of excellence on the field and in the classroom.” The 15th annual golf outing will feature a silent auction, door prizes and hole prizes throughout the 18 holes of play. “Each and every contribution counts more than we realize and all are greatly appreciated,” said Mat Mahoney. “Businesses and/or individuals can be a major sponsor, sponsor a hole or be a green-or-tee sponsor, and also can make monetary or product donations.”
Lunch - Burger Bar
Fairmont Cardinal football fans also can support the program’s fund-raising effort by purchasing a Cardinal Card that features numerous discounts by area businesses on their products andservices. If any football supporter misses the July 20 registration deadline, one can still play by either signing up online or can pay a walk-up fee on the day of the golf outing at noon on August 8. A lunch of cheesy chicken sandwiches, chips, cookie and a drink will be served for lunch at noon that day, with a burger bar featured after the outing. Current Fairmont Cardinal football players will be on the Interlaken Golf Course to assist with any of the event’s contests and the players’ golf bags. The Fairmont Cardinals earned its 13th overall state appearance and seventh under Mat Mahoney’s leadership en route to an overall record of 8-3 last fall.
Fairmont coaching legend Jim Simser passes away
By Charlie Sorrells
Fairmont Football Association Contributor
FAIRMONT – From an early age, we are taught that death is inevitable. What each individual does with one’s unknown allotted time on earth is the key to life.
When I learned of Jim Simser’s passing from Fairmont High School activities director and head football coach Mat Mahoney on Friday afternoon, my heart sank even though I knew the former FHS athletic director and legendary Cardinal football mentor’s time with us was drawing to a close.
While the grief I felt for my own personal loss of the man I simply called “Coach” made a tear roll down my cheek, the one consolation I possessed was having the chance to have known him for more than half of my life in my job as a sports writer.
I remember his firm handshake, genuine smile and gentlemanly demeanor when I first met him when he accepted the inevitable task of replacing one of the Minnesota prep football rank’s greatest coaches of all-time in Thomas Mahoney on the Fairmont sideline in the fall of 1990.
“Sports writer – hmmm. Heard you cover games from the sideline. There is a press box, you know,” said Simser, who raised his eyebrows in jest before grinning. “Earn that position and it’s yours.”
For the next 10 fall seasons, I felt privileged to watch the former New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva coaching great evolve into a legend in Fairmont football lore. His coaching style was unique – reserved and respectful while knowledgeable and confident all at the same time.
Prior to his arrival in Fairmont, he had guided New Richland-Hartland to four state appearances, including the Class ‘C’ championship in 1976 and the Class ‘B’ crown in 1978, and was tabbed the 1978 Minnesota Coach of the Year for his coaching prowess. He also served as the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s executive secretary for numerous years after accepting the role in 1986.
He added three more state bids to his Hall of Fame coaching resume from 1990-99, engineering the Cardinals’ first-ever appearance in the Class ‘A’ state semifinals at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis in 1992 before reaching the quarterfinals in back-to-back style in 1996 and 1997. He also led Fairmont to five South Central Conference championships during his 10-year tenure.
While he closed out his esteemed 32-year high school football coaching career with a 223-91-1 record to earn his rightful places in the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Fairmont Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015, he took great solace in being a beloved husband, father, coach, teacher and friend.
While the love of his life for half of a century, Winn Ann, passed away in the fall of 2013, Jim is survived by four sons – Bill, Mike, Mark and Dave – and their respective families.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM Friday, Oct. 25, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont, with military honors to take place afterward. Burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Jim honorably served a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific after graduating with his bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University in 1961.
Visitation will take place from 4-7 PM Thursday, Oct. 24, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Thank you for your integrity, kindness, witty humor and insight into what’s truly important in life.
Rest in peace, “Coach.”