Quarterback Blair Townsend and receiver Jerrad Zimmel helped Coon Rapids match what it did all of last season in its first game of the 2008 schedule.

Win on the road.

Coon Rapids won just one road game in 2007, but with Townsend and Zimmel hooking up for second-quarter touchdown pass plays of 27 and 41 yards, and with a 28-yard field goal kicked by Tyler Paulson less than four seconds before halftime, it took a 22-14 lead on its way to a 29-20 win at Champlin Park.

Though it became a 22-20 game during the third quarter, Coon Rapids never relinquished the lead it took during the first half, then put it way later in the second half when Joe Novak scooted up the middle for the clinching touchdown run. Consecutive interceptions by linebacker Jabrris Smith-Powell and defensive back Erik Pikula quashed any Champlin Park comeback hopes and ultimately secured the nine-point margin of victory.

In addition to his two touchdown passes to Zimmel, Townsend also led Coon Rapids offense to several key first downs on the ground. He completed 13 of 21 passes for more than 140 yards and kept the ball 14 times and rushed for another 130-plus yards and Coon Rapids’ first touchdown of the game.

“We got up early and kept going,” said Townsend explaining Coon Rapids’ opening performance of the season.

In addition to winning on the road to match what it did in 2007, it was the first time in six seasons that Coon Rapids had won its opening game…

— Zach Nienaber