by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
Patrick Fischer had to watch from the sideline, his heart sinking, as his teammates lost to Moorhead last Friday and blew their chances for a chance at the state football championship.
On Nov. 2, the Sartell Sabres lost to the Moorhead Spuds, 35-21, in the Section 8-5A game played at Collegeville. The undefeated Spuds will play the Section 7-5A champion, Bemidji, Nov. 10 at Husky Stadium.
“It was tough,” Fischer said of the loss. “It wasn’t fun to see that, that’s for sure.”
Fischer, a receiver for the Sabres, had to sit out the game because his knee was injured in a previous game with St. Cloud Apollo two weeks ago. He underwent surgery for the knee injury Oct. 31 in the St. Cloud Hospital and is now recuperating at home.
Watching his team go down to defeat was painful for Fischer. The first half of the game went Sartell’s way, with Parker Hagen making two touchdowns. By half-time, the Sabres were leading, 21-7. However, in the second half, powerhouse Spuds running back Chase Morlock turned into a juggernaut, scoring a total of five touchdowns by the end of the game.
Watching the loss was especially painful for Fischer because the Sabres had experienced a phenomenal season that seemed to promise a good chance at making the state playoffs.
“Yes, it was tough,” Fischer said. “But the season was great. It was fun, and we had a good group of guys this year. I wouldn’t take back any of it.”
Memories of that excellent season will follow Fischer throughout this year and into his first year of college at Bemidji State University next fall. Fischer learned recently he had been awarded a basketball scholarship to BSC. He will sign an agreement in mid-November to play combo guard for the college team.
In the meantime, Fischer will be spending a lot of time and energy conditioning himself for basketball. As soon as his knee is healed, which might take up to two more months, he will be able to lift weights, run and practice basketball in preparation for his college career. He is not certain yet what degree he will pursue.
Fischer has always loved sports. When he was a tyke, he was seldom seen without a bat or ball in his hands. He loved to play sports with neighborhood buddies. In school, he was on the track team from eighth grade until 11th grade. In his sophomore year, he started playing basketball and football.
This summer, Fischer will also get a chance to kick back and relax at the Fischer family cabin up north. Born and raised in Sartell, Patrick is the son of David and Dana Fischer.
