Robbinsdale Armstrong (8-0) and Andover (6-2) and crossed swords Wednesday in a battle of football teams ranked in the top five of Class 5A.
Armstrong eked out a 57-56 victory in a double-overtime shootout as Jayden Vera Loza kicked the game-winning point after.
Loza ended a game of myriad twists and turns. Andover junior quarterback Joseph Mapson tossed an option pitch, then found himself giving chase to Armstrong’s Dylan Gilles, who tipped the ball and ran it in from 23 yards out.
Mapson recovered and threw two touchdowns to fellow Huskies in the second quarter as Andover drew even 21-21 by halftime.
Armstrong’s Kevon Johnson ran for two scores — including an 82-yard dash on the Falcons’ opening drive.
Mapson connected with Brady Jenson for a 72-yard score as Andover took its first lead of the game, 28-21, at 10:45 of quarter three.
Armstrong didn’t wilt. Quarterback Dawson Franke dashed for a big gain, then ended the drive from 5 yards out, rolling right and feathering the ball to Gideon Breker for a short touchdown. The clock read 8:09 as the teams drew even once more at 28-all.
Wyatt Meyers restored Andover’s lead on a 2-yard sprint to the goal line. The Huskies held a 35-28 advantage that felt tentative given the back-and-forth nature of the game. Sure enough, Armstrong battled back.
