CEDAR FALLS - The St. Albert players and coaches walked off the field and the through the tunnel at the UNI-Dome Friday night like they had all just been thrown from a bull and survived. 

In a way, they did.

After seeming to have the game well in hand for more than three-and-a-half quarters, the Falcons watched Lake City Southern Cal scored a pair of unanswered touchdowns both off big plays in a span of 1:35 late in the fourth before finally holding on for a 21-14 win over the Mustangs in the Class 1A state football semifinals.

The Falcons' excitement was tempered with a healthy dose of "did that just happen?"

"We just needed to hold our poise near the end," said an exasperated St. Albert coach Jim Duggan near the locker room following the game. "We played too hard to lose this game"

Although a few miscues proved costly late, the Falcons did little wrong before that.

Offensively, running back Jeremy Schieffer rushed for more than 120 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Nolan Batten ran in two scores to go with some clutch plays as St. Albert advanced to its third 1A title game in the last four years.

"We just played as a team. Basically, we've all wanted this since last year," Batten said, referring to falling in last season's semifinals. "Even though we had a couple mental lapses, I think we all had confidence in each other that we'd get it done."

Defensively, the Falcons stymied a Southern Cal offense that averaged 34.3 points coming into the game. Before the two late touchdowns, the Mustangs converted just one first down in the second half.

The Falcons also forced five turnovers on the night. Jake Hoffa, Matt Waters, Chad Belt and Jeff McGruder recovered one fumble apiece, while Jace Cochran came up with an interception.

"That was the plan. Just like the last three games," said Belt, who leads a defense that carried three-consecutive shutouts into Saturday's tilt. "We wanted to shut them out too, but at least we got the win. That's what's most important."

Belt put together another monster game, racking up a game-high 23 tackles, including 16 solos. C.J. Gradoville, Matt O'Malley and Zac Butcher added nine tackles apiece.

The end of the game did prove interesting, however.

With time waning, Southern Cal put together a quick, four-play drive that covered 67 yards, culminating in a 43-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Crandall to Kelan Richardson.

The Mustangs then forced a three-and-out, blocked the ensuing punt and Richardson recovered it at the St. Albert four-yard line. The very next play was a Richardson touchdown plunge as the Mustangs' half of the Dome went wild and the Falcons faithful looked on in shock.

"We definitely had a couple breakdowns," Belt said. "But, we made some big plays when we had to."

Belt joined the offensive unit to block on the next drive as the Falcons tried to get some first downs and bleed the last 2:51 off the clock.

They got a little help, with a facemask penalty giving them a first down on the opening play of the drive, and two plays later, Batten broke open an 18-yard run down to the Mustang 20, and St. Albert only had to take a knee to give the Falcons the win.

Next up are the state finals, where the Falcons will square off against Montezuma Friday at 3:30 p.m. for the championship.

It will be the third time in the last four years St. Albert has reached the championship game, which included a state title in 2004.

"I think that says something about the tradition of this team," Duggan said. "They say that tradition never graduates, and these guys believe that."

St. Albert 0 7 7 7 - 21

Southern Cal 0 0 0 14 - 14

Scoring Plays

Second Quarter

SA-Jeremy Schieffer 13 run. (C.J. Gradoville kick).

Third Quarter

SA-Nolan Batten 5 run. (Gradoville kick).

Fourth Quarter

SA-Batten 7 run. (Gradoville kick).

SC-Gavin Reynolds 43 pass to Kelan Richardson. (Pass failed).

SC-Richardson 4 run. (Reynolds run).

Records: St. Albert (10-2), Southern Cal (11-1).

Ratings: State: Lake City Southern Cal 2nd (1A)

Ryan Weatherill - Daily Nonpareil - 11.12.06