Prep Blog: Week 10 Top Performances
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – High school football fans have got to love the playoffs.
There's no more exciting and intense time to watch the game as the season is on the line every time your team steps on the field. And the deeper you get into the playoffs, the better the match-ups are and the closer the games get.
Saturday was no different as we hit the section semifinal round throughout the state. There were a few blowouts, but there were a lot of games that went down to the wire. There were some that went to overtime, and even one that came down to the last play.
There were plenty of big performances, but we can only choose four so here they are:
Mounds View edges Stillwater at the horn
Mounds View and Stillwater already have a great rivalry in the Suburban East Conference, and it got even better Saturday. The Mustangs got a touchdown pass on the last play of the game to end the Ponies' season and advance to Friday's section final. Quarterback Mike Kerfeld found found Quinn Madsen on a 5-yard scoring play as time expired to lift Mounds View to the 19-18 victory. The Mustangs will travel to Totino-Grace Friday night for the right to go to state.
Bauer dominates as Eagan rolls over Woodbury
There are plenty of great quarterbacks in the South Suburban Conference, but Eagan's Drew Bauer cannot be overlooked in that conversation. The senior simply willed Eagan to a 63-29 victory Saturday in the section semifinals against Woodbury. Bauer threw for 151 yards and two scores, but was a much greater threat on the ground. He ran for 214 yards and three touchdowns for the Wildcats in the victory. Eagan will face Cretin-Derham Hall in the section final Friday night at the University of St. Thomas.
Hutchinson QB has 6 TDs in win over Marshall
McKinley Anderson has been a leader for the Hutchinson football team all season, and Saturday's section semifinal game against Marshall was no different. The unbeaten Tigers advanced to the section championship with a 42-28 win over Marshall. Anderson ran for five touchdowns in the win and also threw for another as Hutchinson's offense hit on virtually all cylinders in the contest. Hutchinson gets its biggest test of the season Friday with a trip to the state tournament on the line. The Tigers will travel to No. 1-ranked Mankato West, who is led by quarterback and Gopher recruit Phillip Nelson.
Norwood RB runs over Sibley East
Leaders tend to emerge in big spots for their teams, and that's exactly what Allen VanDien is doing for Norwood-Young America as it eyes a potential trip to state. VanDien has literally put his team on his back in two straight victories, getting Norwood-Young America to within one win of the state tournament. VanDien was a workhorse Saturday with 32 carries for 258 yards and three touchdowns as Norwood-Young America shut out Sibley East 42-0. They'll face Maple Lake at 5:45 p.m. Friday at St. Cloud State for the right to go to state.
Tune into WCCO-TV's High School Sports Rally Friday night as Mike Max, Frank Vascellaro and John Lauritsen will have all the section championship games covered. Also check our Prep Blog later this week for a preview of Friday's big games.
