Fridley’s D remains TD-free after halting Mpls North’s 57-game win streak

Fridley ran their regular season win streak to 13-games and has yet to allow an opponent to score a touchdown this season after a nearly-perfect 21-0 win over Minneapolis North that ends the Polars’ 57-game regular season win streak.

Click the video box on this page to see KSTP Sports’ extended highlights of Minneapolis North at Fridley

Despite only dressing 21 players due to Covid-19 quarantines, the Tigers defense continued it’s trend of smothering opponents.

Christian Crockett had two interceptions and Micah Niewald had another as the Tigers stifled the talented and typically high-flying North offense.

Fridley took an 8-0 lead to halftime on the strength of Michael Ude’s short touchdown run early in the second quarter.

Still a one-score game late in the 4th quarter, a lengthy Tigers drive ended with Niewald making a diving catch of a perfect throw on 4th and goal at the North 9 by quarterback Tra’Vion Stevenson. Their 15-yard connection bumped the lead to 15-0.

Niewald’s interception on the ensuing drive set the Tigers up for a knockout punch.

Again facing fourth-and-goal, Stevenson scrambled in himself to make it 21-0 with 1:44 left.

The North offense – which features several Division I college prospects – had a chance to spoil both Fridley’s shutout and their zero-TD streak when they earned a first-and-goal situation in the final minute.

But the Tigers’ goal line stand ended with Crockett’s second interception of the game to preserve the shutout, the win and the TD-free streak.

Fridley improves to 5-0 this season. They’ve won 13 straight – and 23 of their last 25 – regular season games.

The Tigers close the regular season against Columbia Heights next Thursday.

North (4-1) plays Minneapolis Southwest on Thursday.