Albany 'sets the tone' for future after third trip to state in last four years

MONTICELLO, Minn. — On the first play from scrimmage, senior quarterback Cohen Habben pitched an option read into the hands of senior running back Judah Allen for a 35-yard gain against Pierz. That would be the highlight for the Huskies as the Section 8AAA champions were stopped in their tracks against the unbeaten Pioneers, 44-7.More: Introducing the 2026 St. Cloud Times All-Area Football TeamMore: Albany was down 21 points, then Cohen Habben came in at quarterback"You've got a juggernaut in Pierz," head coach Mike Ellingson said. "I felt like we had our moments and our shots there, and it just didn't transpire for us. Offensively, they're so explosive, but they don't get enough credit defensively for the way they fly around and take away what you do best." Despite being shut down in the run following Allen's quick gashing run to start the game, the Huskies stayed within reach throughout the first half.  Pierz's Brayden Foust rushed in for the game-opening score from 24 yards out as Preston Saehr connected with Tyler Kimman from 35 yards and Paul Nieman plowed forward from 10 yards to give the Pioneers a 21-0 lead heading into the second quarter.  The Huskies then mounted a drive with the aid of a muffed punt, capped off by a one-yard plunge from senior Dylan Hoffarth to make it 21-7.  After holding the Pioneers to a field goal at the end of the half to trail just 24-7 after a turbulent 24 minutes to start the game, Albany forced a punt to start the second half and had a chance to make some noise.  As Habben scanned the field, a wide-open Emmett Rushmeyer came flying past the Pierz defenders with nothing but green grass ahead. However, as Rushmeyer extended his arms, the ball came just out of reach and would lead to yet another Husky punt.  "It was open in the first half as well and we just missed it," Ellingson said. "Rushmeyer's got some scoot to him, so we took a shot [when] we needed a big play. If we complete that ball, all of a sudden it's a 10-point game. I think the Huskies may make it a different game, right?"  More: Becker girls soccer stopped cold in first trip to state semifinalsMore: Sartell boys soccer loses OT heartbreaker in state semisMore: St. Cloud-area runners shine at 2026 MSHSL State ChampionshipsInstead, the Huskies continued to just be another obstacle for the No. 5 team in the state's path to U.S. Bank Stadium.  Foust added another score from 46 yards in the third quarter as Saywer Lochner and Parker Kimman took the final jabs to seal the lopsided victory for Pierz.  "They've got so many dynamic players, and they won the line of scrimmage tonight, too," Ellingson said. "[All night], it looked like a sweep was going to be there for 15 [yards], and that 15-yarder turned into a four-yarder. These kids battled adversity through it all." Though the Huskies fell short of making it to The Bank, they secured their third sectional title in the last four years and 24th overall while realizing their 13th consecutive winning season, finishing the year with a strong 8-3 record.  "It's a consolation prize, but it's a pretty dang good consolation prize when you make it to this level," Ellingson said. "It sets the tone for the next years, and it sets the tone for the younger guys in the stands being able to go to state and leaves a little bit left to be desired. Making it to The Bank is the next step, and we'll see where that comes in the near future."  You can reach St. Cloud Times sports reporter David Jacobs and send story ideas and tips todjacobs@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter,@By_DavidJacobs, and on Instagram@ByDavidJacobs.  This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Albany 'sets the tone' for future after third trip to state in last four years