A close game at halftime quickly turned into a blowout.

East Ridge scored three touchdowns in the first six minutes of the third quarter — Woodbury ran three offensive plays and had two turnovers in that stretch — and the Raptors pulled away to beat their crosstown rival 54-7.

Cedric Tomes threw for three touchdowns and ran for another for the Raptors at TCO Stadium. Jacob Merchlewitz added rushing and receiving scores and recovered a fumble.

East Ridge (2-2) scored 27 third-quarter points.

Coming out of halftime, Tomes was part of four plays that went for double-digit yardage in a seven-play scoring drive, including a 28-yard completion to Merchlewitz as the quarterback was hit by a defender. Three plays later, Tomes threw across his body to Payton Rehfeld for an 11-yard score to make it 17-7.

A James Martin interception on Woodbury’s second play put the ball at the Royals’ 3-yard line, from where Merchlewitz barreled in on the ensuing play.

He was far from done.

Listed as a defensive lineman/linebacker, the senior Merchlewitz recovered a fumble on Woodbury’s next play. Tomes and Kyle Frendt connected from 16 yards out three plays later for a 30-7 lead.

Jackson Meyer stuffed a Woodbury runner on fourth down to again set up the Raptors in Royals’ territory. Merchlewitz caught a 9-yard touchdown pass to end the drive and bump the lead to 30.

A 37-yard touchdown by Frendt early in the fourth quarter put the game into running time. Luke Ryerse made a 32-yard field goal, his second of the game and Vincent Engler returned a fumble 12 yards for a late score.

Things looked good early for Woodbury (2-2).

Dominic Ebensteiner got a step on his defender and an arcing pass from Emmett Snuggerud was perfect for a 42-yard score and a 7-0 lead with 3:04 left in the opening quarter.

The Raptors had the ball for 9-plus minutes in the second quarter to earn a 10-7 lead at intermission.

A 45-yard Ryerse field goal capped a 12-play drive and Tomes squirmed through a small hole at the line and shed a couple tacklers en route to the 13-yard score in the half’s final minute. That, too, was a 12-play drive.

Related Articles

High school football: Eagan denies Lakeville South with late stops

High School Football: Week 4 predictions

High School Football: After taking lumps in early years, North St. Paul’s standouts are all grown up, and leading program to success

High School Football Roundup: Simley, Hastings, Roseville among teams finding first victory in Week 3

High School Football: Lakeville North snaps five-game losing skid to crosstown rival with dramatic win over Cougars