Skip to main content

Recap: Friday’s football state semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium

Moorhead performed more postseason magic in Class 6A, Spring Lake Park upset St. Thomas Academy in 5A, Kasson-Mantorville advanced in 4A and Jackson County Central and Goodhue reached the 2A final.

Moorhead's David Mack catches a touchdown pass as Lakeville South's Max Zagorski tries to tackle him Friday during a Class 6A semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium. Moorhead won 26-14 and will play Edina in the Prep Bowl. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Comment

By Cassidy Hettesheimer, Marcus Fuller and Jim Paulsen

The Minnesota Star Tribune

Twenty-eight teams began competition Thursday in the football state tournament semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium, and now, after two days, nine teams have claimed spots in next week’s Prep Bowl.

Check out the scoring and statistics from each game on Strib Varsity. All games were streamed live on NSPN.

Find Prep Bowl matchups, schedules, streaming and ticket info here.

Friday’s schedule:

Class 2A: 9 a.m., Jackson County Central 38, Eden Valley-Watkins 0; 4:30 p.m., Goodhue 24, Holdingford 7

Class 4A: 11:30 a.m., Kasson-Mantorville 16, Grand Rapids 14

Class 5A: 2 p.m., Spring Lake Park 39, St. Thomas Academy 23

Class 6A: 7:30 p.m., Moorhead 26, Lakeville South 14

1/9

Final: Moorhead 26, Lakeville South 14

It wasn’t exactly the game everyone expected, but for Moorhead, all that matters is the final score.The high-octane Spuds, held to 90 yards of offense and seven points in the first half, moved the ball effectively in the second half. With the Moorhead defense standing firm against the Lakeville South rushing attack, the Spuds did just enough after halftime to pull out a 26-14 victory and advance to next week’s Class 6A Prep Bowl championship game.

ADVERTISEMENT

Quarterback Jett Feeney let his legs drive the Moorhead offense in the third quarter, leading Moorhead on a game-tying 92-yard scoring drive with runs of 40 and 11 yards. Zak Walker scored on a 6-yard run to make the score 14-14.

Moorhead bumped the lead to 20-14 when Feeney threw his first touchdown pass of the game on a perfectly lofted 25-yard fade to Walker late in the third quarter.

Moorhead added an insurance touchdown in the fourth when Feeney found his favorite target, receiver Davis Mack, for a 5-yard touchdown.

Lakeville South (9-3) never threatened after that. Moorhead (8-4) earned the right to play Edina for the Class 6A title.

— Jim Paulsen


End 3Q: Moorhead 20, Lakeville South 14

This game has certainly gotten more interesting in the second half. Moorhead is back to being its explosive self while Lakeville South just keeps grinding away.

— Jim Paulsen


Moorhead's Drew Berneking (77) hoists Zak Walker aloft after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

3Q: Moorhead 20, Lakeville South 14

That’s more like the Moorhead we’ve come to know. The Spuds go 92 yards in seven plays, with Jett Feeney hitting Zak Walker for a 25-yard score on a perfectly placed fade to the end zone. Just seconds remain in the quarter.

— Jim Paulsen


3Q: Lakeville South 14, Moorhead 14

Moorhead ties it up, going 71 yards in 10 plays. Jett Feeney used his legs to make an impact. His 40-yard run moved the Spuds into scoring position, and he added an 11-yard run on third-and-5. Zak Walker score the touchdown on a 6-yard reverse.

— Jim Paulsen


3Q: Lakeville South 14, Moorhead 7

Moorhead fumbled the ball away on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. Lakeville South said Thank You Very Much and scored two plays later on a 2-yard run by Nic Swanson.

— Jim Paulsen


Halftime: Lakeville South 7, Moorhead 7

Truthfully, not the first half we expected. Lakeville South with 116 total yards, all on the ground. Moorhead was held to 90, 64 through the air. Have to be satisfied if you’re a Lakeville South supporter. This is the way the Cougars are built to win.

— Jim Paulsen


Lakeville South's Griffen Dean (12) celebrates with Austin Cin after scoring from the 1-yard line. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

2Q: Moorhead 7, Lakeville South 7

Lakeville South went 75 yards in 14 plays, taking 7:20 off the clock, and tied the game on a 2-yard run by Griffin Dean with 1:40 left in the half. Exactly what the Cougars hoped to do: Control the ball, keep Moorhead off the field.

— Jim Paulsen


2Q: Moorhead 7, Lakeville South 0

Replay is being used for the semifinals and finals here at U.S. Bank Stadium. Those running the replay system are like kids with a new toy. They’ve been calling for replay incessantly. Moorhead had a first down on a pass to David Mack overturned. Called incomplete. I didn’t see the same things they saw in the booth. Methinks they’re a little over anxious up there.

— Jim Paulsen


2Q: Moorhead 7, Lakeville South 0

We expected an offensive show. The first quarter was a bit of a dud. Neither team threatened. But on the first play of the second quarter, Moorhead QB Jett Feeney hit Zac Walker for a 35-yard gain. Two plays later, Spuds running back Taye Reich ran left and scored from 2 yards out.

— Jim Paulsen


Final: Goodhue 24, Holdingford 7

The Wildcats earned the right to meet big, bad Jackson County Central for the Class 2A championship at next week’s Prep Bowl. Goodhue (12-0) had 306 yards of total offense, 213 on the ground. Quarterback Luke Roschen set the tone early with the biggest play of the game. His 83-yard first-quarter run staked the Wildcats to a 7-0 lead they never relinquished. Goodhue will be seeking its third state championship in the Prep Bowl, after winning Class 1A titles in 2003 and 2007. Holdingford, which managed just 224 total yards and a season-low point total, finished 11-1.

— Jim Paulsen


Goodhue wide receiver Michael Roschen (4) celebrates the win with fans. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

4Q: Goodhue 24, Holdingford 7

Another lengthy Goodhue drive, this time 14 plays to go 50 yards, results in a 25-yard field goal by Christian Monjaraz-Mendez. The Wildcats seal the victory with an interception by Luke Roschen. I’m calling it now.

— Jim Paulsen


4Q: Goodhue 21, Holdingford 7

A very uneventful third quarter was followed by a Goodhue touchdown to start the fourth. Hayden Holm sliced off left tackle on third-and-goal from the Holdingford 1. What was impressive about that touchdown was that it took 18 plays and 10:05 to go 58 yards. That’s a statement drive.

— Jim Paulsen


Halftime: Goodhue 14, Holdingford 7

A sputtering first half for both teams. Goodhue had the better of things, as indicated by the score, but neither team built any significant momentum. Goodhue put up 201 total yards, but don’t forget: 83 of them came on one play, Luke Roschen’s first-quarter scoring run. Holdingford’s touchdown late in the half was huge for the Huskers.

— Jim Paulsen


2Q: Goodhue 14, Holdingford 7

Holdingford gets on the board on a 10-yard run by QB Jaxon Bartkowicz with 30 seconds left in the half, ending a nine-play, 71-yard drive. Bartkowicz had his mitts all over that drive.

— Jim Paulsen


2Q: Goodhue 14, Holdingford 0

Touchdown Goodhue! Quarterback Luke Roschen throws a beautiful 35-yard fade to his brother Owen Roschen for a two-touchdown lead.

— Jim Paulsen


2Q: Goodhue 7, Holdingford 0

Holdingford’s most promising drive of the game results in nothing significant. On fourth-and-long, Huskers QB Jaxon Bartkowicz is sacked for a 15-yard loss. Holdingford has just 70 total yards of offense.

— Jim Paulsen


1Q: Goodhue 7, Holdingford 0

Holdingford dodges a bullet. After Goodhue’s touchdown was called back, Wildcats kicker Christian Mojaraz-Mendez missed a 31-yard field goal wide right. No points for Goodhue on that drive.

— Jim Paulsen


1Q: Goodhue 7, Holdingford 0

Are Goodhue and Holdingford playing for the right to be sacrificial lambs to Jackson County Central? The Huskies have been clearly the class of Class 2A this season, and they played the part to perfection in a 38-0 victory over Eden Valley-Watkins on Friday morning. Goodhue has been more explosive so far, getting an 83-yard TD run by Luke Roschen to take the early lead. Roschen scored again on a 4-yard run, but a holding call brought it back.

— Jim Paulsen


1Q: Goodhue 7, Holdingford 0

Neither team got far with its first possession, but that didn’t last. Luke Roschen scored on an 83-yard run as soon as Goodhue got the ball back.


Pregame: Goodhue vs. Holdingford, 2A

Goodhue hasn’t reached the Prep Bowl since 2007, when it won the Class 1A title. Holdingford last reached the Prep Bowl in 2014, when it won the 2A championship.

When these schools reach the finale, they apparently win.

They also match up well. Both are undefeated and prefer running the ball (Goodhue is averaging 230 yards per game and Holdingford 228). They also limit their opponent’s offense.

Entering the playoffs, Holdingford was ranked No. 2 in the 2A state media poll. Goodhue was ranked No. 4.


Final: Spring Lake Park 39, St. Thomas Academy 23

The Panthers take down the No. 1-ranked team in Class 5A on Friday night and reach their first Prep Bowl since finishing runner-up in 2016. The game was one-sided after a pick-six started the second half. SPL outscored St. Thomas Academy 27-6 in the second half. Nolan Roach and Lamari Brown helped SPL combine for 400 yards rushing in the game.

— Marcus Fuller


4Q: Spring Lake Park 39, St. Thomas Academy 23

St. Thomas Academy picked up the onside kick after its first score of the second half, but an interception on a halfback pass ended any realistic comeback hopes. The Panthers added cushion to their advantage with a 44-yard touchdown run by QB Nolan Roach, who has 190 yards and two TDs on the ground.

— Marcus Fuller


4Q: Spring Lake Park 32, St. Thomas Academy 23

The Cadets finally stop the bleeding after being outscored 20-0 in the second half. They capped a nine-play, 86-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run from Todd Rogalski, who has two scores today. They missed a critical extra point kick, though. Worst timing for that.

— Marcus Fuller


3Q: Spring Lake Park 32, St. Thomas Academy 17

The upset-minded Panthers are punishing the No. 1 team in the state in the run game. Sound familiar? Last week, Lakeville South ran all over Class 6A No. 1 Maple Grove. This one looks pretty close in a lot of ways with the momentum swing. SPL got a 65-yard run by quarterback Nolan Roach. And Lamari Brown scored on a 5-yard run.

— Marcus Fuller


3Q: Spring Lake Park 25, St. Thomas Academy 17

Spring Lake Park’s dominant day on the ground continued. E.J. Monluo scored on a 25-yard run untouched down the right sideline to cheers from the Panthers fans at U.S. Bank Stadium. On the drive, Lamari Brown surpassed 100 yards rushing in the game.

SLP has 218 total rushing yards in the game so far.

— Marcus Fuller


3Q: Spring Lake Park 18, St. Thomas Academy 17

Spring Lake Park struck first in the second half with a 24-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Marcus Snyder on the second play of the third quarter. St. Thomas Academy quarterback Tristan Karl was looking for Todd Rogalski. Snyder was tied for the state lead with six interceptions.

— Marcus Fuller


How Kasson-Mantorville advanced to the 4A championship game

After a first half that slipped by in a breezy 48 minutes, the final two minutes of Kasson-Mantorville’s 16-14 Class 4A semifinal win over Grand Rapids seemed to somehow, improbably, take longer than the rest of the game combined.

Earlier this season, the KoMets (11-1) had ended Stewartville’s 30-game win streak, by three points. They’d managed to fly somewhat under the radar until beating Class 4A favorite Byron by the same small margin in the section championship game.

“We got beat by 40 three times last season,” Kasson-Mantorville head coach Joel Swanson said. “The guys just said they were sick of it.”

Up 16-0 in Friday’s fourth quarter, after capitalizing on explosive passing plays from quarterback Grady Babcock (5-for-6, 145 yards, one TD) and an interception and a fumble recovery, it seemed like the KoMets might get through their semifinal without fireworks.

But Grand Rapids (10-2), like Kasson-Mantorville trying to win its first state title, recovered two onside kicks in the game’s final two minutes after not recovering one the entire season, coach Greg Spahn said. A Thunderhawks team that lived on its ground game this season, averaging 320 rushing yards per game, entered the fourth quarter with 10 passing yards but let it fly late.

“They just kept battling in there, and they probably threw more passes in the last 12 minutes there than they had all year, from what we saw,” Swanson said.

Thunderhawks sophomore quarterback Logan McNear threw for 169 fourth-quarter yards, finding senior Jaxon Rabbers for a 72-yard score, followed by a successful two-point conversion with 1:58 to play.

After recovering its first onside kick, Grand Rapids wriggled out of a fourth down, then found the hands of Jameson Duell, who dove to catch a tipped ball for a 3-yard touchdown with 19 seconds remaining.

“We may not throw a lot in games, but we’re always ready,” McNear said. “Our wide receivers are always ready.”

Kasson-Mantorville junior Camryn Tottingham, who also had a 77-yard receiving touchdown in the third quarter, picked off the two-point try that would have tied the game. Kasson-Mantorville’s defense, led by 13 total tackles by junior linebacker Chase Boelter, kept Grand Rapids quiet after its second onside kick recovery.

A thrilling game of margins is one that “hopefully makes you younger,” Swanson said. After weathering the emotional whirlwind of the game’s final minutes, he prompted his players in the postgame news conference: “That’s why we’re always saying, ‘What score is it?’ ” “Zero-zero” was the dutiful, automatic answer from seniors Griffin Grover, Jeremiah Peterson-Gordon and Quinn Weis.

Peterson-Gordon, committed to St. Thomas, was all over the field, coming up with two key sacks. He estimated he was off the field for only a half-dozen plays, finishing with 23 rushing yards, 48 receiving yards and eight tackles.

“I know whenever I come off the field, I know that somebody behind me is going to make a play,” Peterson-Gordon said.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


Halftime: St. Thomas Academy 17, Spring Lake Park 12

St. Thomas Academy got outgained in total yards in the first half 213-196, which included 171 yards rushing by Spring Lake Park. But the Cadets made enough plays late in the first half to keep the Panthers from coming back. A roughing the kicker penalty extended SPL’s drive just before halftime, but STA blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt as the second quarter ended.

Todd Rogalski was the impact player of the first half with 89 yards rushing for the Cadets.

— Marcus Fuller


2Q: St. Thomas Academy 17, Spring Lake Park 12

You’d expect St. Thomas Academy’s Dominic Baez to be pretty much a sure thing inside the 10-yard line on three plays right? Not so fast. Spring Lake Park kept Baez and the Cadets out of the end zone, including minus yards on third-and-goal with a minute left. Toren Piltingsrud kicked a 21-yard field goal to at least come away with points on the drive.

— Marcus Fuller


2Q: St. Thomas Academy 14, Spring Lake Park 12

The Panthers outplayed the No. 1 team in Class 5A on the ground in the first half after they finished off a 7-play, 80-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run from Lamari Brown, who got some help from his teammates pushing him over the goal line. SPL quarterback Nolan Roach spearheaded the drive with a 41-yard run.

— Marcus Fuller


2Q: St. Thomas Academy 14, Spring Lake Park 6

St. Thomas Academy picked up its second score of the game with the help of Todd Rogalski again, this time on a 33-yard run to the 1-yard line. Dominic Baez punched it in for his first rushing touchdown of the game. Baez was the team’s leading rusher this year with more than 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns.

— Marcus Fuller


1Q: St. Thomas Academy 7, Spring Lake Park 6

The Cadets haven’t trailed much in games this season, and it didn’t last long in Friday’s 5A semifinals. They went 63 yards in four plays on their first drive, which was capped by Todd Rogalski’s 36-yard touchdown run with just under two minutes left in the first quarter. Rogalski’s, St. Thomas Academy’s Swiss Army knife, is able to make explosive plays on offense, defense and special teams.

— Marcus Fuller


1Q: Spring Lake Park 6, St. Thomas Academy 0

Spring Lake Park moved the chains on a key fourth-and-1 early after play was stopped for an St. Thomas Academy injury. The Panthers also converted three times on third down, including the third time on a 1-yard touchdown run from quarterback Nolan Roach to take the lead after a 15-play, 80-yard drive.

— Marcus Fuller


1Q: St. Thomas Academy 0, Spring Lake Park 0

Play was stopped with 10:30 left in the first quarter. Cadets senior defensive lineman Magnus Mehlhoff suffered a scary injury after being part of a tackle on the first drive. Mehlhoff, who has 26 tackles this season, had to be helped on to a stretcher and taken out on a cart by medical staff.

— Marcus Fuller


Pregame: Spring Lake Park vs. St. Thomas Academy, 5A semifinals

Much of the credit for STA’s offense has gone to the QB-RB tandem of Tristan Karl and Dominic Baez this year. But the biggest playmaker on the roster is arguably Todd Rogalski, who is capable of getting into the end zone on special teams, defense or offense.

Spring Lake Park advanced to the semifinals in dramatic fashion last week on a diving end-zone catch in overtime by tight end Calen Truckenbrod against Alexandra.


Final: Kasson-Mantorville 16, Grand Rapids 14

After recovering a second onside kick, the Thunderhawks couldn’t cook up the same late magic twice to win it. Their attempt to go deep with 18 seconds remaining fell incomplete, as Kasson-Mantorville returns to the Prep Bowl for the second time after its runner-up finish in 2021.

The KoMets have stacked together an impressive season, snapping Stewartville’s 30-game win streak in the regular season and knocking off Class 4A favorite Byron in their section final. Jeremiah Peterson-Gordon — a St. Thomas commit whose two rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown and five tackles led the way in the the KoMets’ quarterfinal against Hill-Murray — was all over the field for Kasson-Mantorville on Friday, too.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


4Q: Kasson-Mantorville 16, Grand Rapids 14

With two minutes left and the ball at midfield, Grand Rapids needed a score and two-point conversion to send this one to overtime.

On 2nd-and-goal on the 3-yard line, Logan McNear’s pass to Tyler Christofferson was tipped by the KoMets secondary and caught by a diving Jameson Duel with 19 seconds left. But Kasson-Mantorville’s Camryn Tottingham snagged the interception on the two-point conversion attempt to tie it.

And somehow, Grand Rapids managed to recover a second onside kick at the 50, with 18 seconds to play.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


4Q: Kasson-Mantorville 16, Grand Rapids 8

From Grand Rapids own 28-yard line, Thunderhawks quarterback Logan McNear launched a deep ball to find Jaxon Rabbers around the KoMets’ 35. Rabbers evaded the open-field tackle for the 72-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was good with 1:58 to play. Suddenly, it’s a one-score game, and sure enough, Grand Rapids recovers the onside kick near midfield.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


4Q: Kasson-Mantorville 16, Grand Rapids 0

Quarterback Logan McNear was having a quiet afternoon through the air until the Thunderhawks’ latest drive, as Grand Rapids looked deep, beginning to have to race the clock. McNear first found senior receiver Jameson Duell for a 33-yard gain into KoMets territory, quadrupling the 10 passing yards he had before the play. Looking deep again, an interference call on an endzone pass break-up set Grand Rapids up on the 15-yard line.

But again, the KoMets defense was up to the task, forcing Grand Rapids into a 4th-and-10 on which senior Jeremiah Peterson-Gordon sacked McNear. That was Peterson-Gordon’s second stop of the goal-line stand, with five minutes to play.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


End of 3Q: Kasson-Mantorville 16, Grand Rapids 0

Kasson-Mantorville is a quarter away from its second Prep Bowl appearance. Quarterback Grady Babcock has orchestrated a few big passing plays and through three quarters is 5-for-6 for 145 yards with a touchdown. The KoMets defense, meanwhile, came up with another big takeaway to keep Grand Rapids off the scoreboard.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


3Q: Kasson-Mantorville 16, Grand Rapids 0

Kasson-Mantorville’s defense keeps coming up big against a team averaging 45 points per game this fall. The KoMets forced Grand Rapids to a three-and-out, then picked off the Thunderhawks on their next drive. With Grand Rapids on the doorstep of the red zone, sophomore Keymoni Bent came up with the interception at the 7-yard line, diving forward to gather the low pass with about four minutes to play in the third quarter.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


3Q: Kasson-Mantorville 16, Grand Rapids 0

The KoMets wasted no time widening their lead here in the third quarter, scoring on their second play of the half, less than a minute in. Quarterback Grady Babcock dropped back from the Grand Rapids’ 48-yard line, faked the toss instead and found junior receiver Camryn Tottingham streaking through the Vikings logo at midfield. Tottingham snagged the ball behind the diving Thunderhawks secondary and took it to the house for a 76-yard passing touchdown. The extra point was no good.

Sixteen points are the second most Grand Rapids has given up all season, outside Hermantown putting up 20 on them in September.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


Halftime: Kasson-Mantorville 10, Grand Rapids 0

The Thunderhawks had their best chance to get on the board right before half when they successfully orchestrated a fake punt, snapped directly to running back Mason Johnson who picked up 25 yards up the left sideline to reach KoMets territory. But on the next set of downs, a dropped screen pass on 4th-and-1 stalled the drive.

Time of possession and yardage have been relatively balanced so far in a first half that flew by in just 48 minutes. The KoMets have 95 total yards of offense, the Thunderhawks, 107, mostly on the ground, with 67 yards from Johnson.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


2Q: Kasson-Mantorville 10, Grand Rapids 0

After a fumble in their own territory, Grand Rapids held Kasson-Mantorville to a 19-yard field goal by senior Miles Bungum.

The KoMets kept the short drive alive by converting a 4th-and-8 from the Grand Rapids 25-yard line on a 22-yard pass from Grady Babcock to Jeremiah Peterson. But a sack from Thunderhawks junior linebacker Mason Johnson on 2nd-down, then a touchdown-saving tackle by junior linebacker Joe Dick, forced the field goal.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


2Q: Kasson-Mantorville 7, Grand Rapids 0

After an encroachment call moved the KoMets from the doorstep of the Grand Rapids endzone back to the 7-yard line, senior running back Jeremiah Peterson punched in a short 3-yard rushing touchdown on his first carry of the game. He was set up by a 4-yard gain on the ground from Parker Richards, who’s now up to a game-high 43 rushing yards.

That’s just the second touchdown Grand Rapids has conceded in postseason play. The day just keeps getting better for the KoMets as Griffin Grover follows up the touchdown by recovering a fumble at the the Grand Rapids 27-yard line on the next drive.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


End of 1Q: Kasson-Mantorville 0, Grand Rapids 0

The quick quarter ends with the KoMets’ on the Grand Rapids 41, still in the midst of their first drive of the game. Kasson-Mantorville has often gone to junior running back Parker Richards, who is up to 18 yards on three carries. He also put up two solo tackles and assisted another to shut down Grand Rapids’ first drive.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


1Q: Kasson-Mantorville 0, Grand Rapids 0

Grand Rapids’ opening drive put them at the KoMets’ 20-yard line. The Thunderhawks ran the ball on 11 of the drive’s 13 plays, eating six minutes off the clock. But Kasson-Mantorville’s defense, with stops from Jaxon Rabbers, Grady Babcock and Quinn Weis, forced the turnover on downs at the edge of the red zone.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


Pregame: Kasson-Mantorville vs. Grand Rapids, 4A semifinals

One half of the Class 4A state championship is already booked, as Orono unseated undefeated Marshall in a dramatic 15-14 win that involved an improbable catch in regulation, then a 18-yard 2-point conversion attempt in overtime to clinch the Spartans’ win.

The Spartans will find out their Prep Bowl foe in today’s semifinal between Kasson-Mantorville (10-1) and Grand Rapids (10-1). Like Orono, neither team has won a state title before, though the KoMets came close with a runner-up finish in 2021. That was the last year either team made the state quarterfinals.

Kasson-Mantorville avenged a regular-season loss to what was, for most of the season, the top Class 4A team, Byron, in its Section 1 title game. The KoMets are a balanced team running the triple option, facing a Grand Rapids team that hasn’t lost since Sept. 5, against Bemidji, and has outscored opponents 155-7 in three postseason games.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer


1/14

4Q: Jackson County Central 38, Eden Valley-Watkins 0

Roman Voss left the game in the fourth quarter for good for the defending champion Huskies. He finished the Class 2A semifinals going 14-for-21 with 163 yards and two touchdowns passing. And he had 15 carries for 107 yards and four TDs rushing in the game. He tied the single-season school record with his 27th touchdown on the ground.

“They bring a lot of talent to the table,” Jackson County Central coach Tom Schuller said after the game about his team, which totaled 229 of its 382 yards and all six touchdowns in the first half. “These guys are great leaders. All of them have a ton of games that they’ve played. We don’t take for granted about being in these types of games.”

– Marcus Fuller


3Q: Jackson County Central 38, Eden Valley-Watkins 0

The Eagles, who haven’t been shut out all season, thought they had a 15-yard scoring catch by Brayden Becker in the back of the end zone late in the third quarter, but Becker’s spectacular catch was overturned and ruled incomplete after he bobbled the ball going out of bounds.

Jackson County Central then came up with the defensive stop on fourth-and-goal from the 8-yard line to take over.

— Marcus Fuller


Halftime: Jackson County Central 38, Eden Valley-Watkins 0

The Gophers beat out Alabama for Roman Voss over the summer. His future will be as a college tight end, but he plays QB and safety in high school. Voss broke school rushing records this season, which was on display with four scores with his legs early on Friday. But the state’s top senior prospect isn’t just a runner. His fifth and sixth TDs in the first half were also through the air, including an 18-yard corner fade to Evan Bartholomaus at the end of the second quarter.

In the first half, Voss completed 13-of-17 passes for 164 yards and two TDs. He ran 13 times for 93 yards and four TDs.

– Marcus Fuller


2Q: Jackson County Central 32, Eden Valley-Watkins 0

Tell me if you’ve heard this before: Roman Voss touchdown. He now has five total TDs in the first half, including his fourth on the ground. This scoring run was the shortest of them all from 3-yards out. You can see why Voss hasn’t played much second half football this year. JCC’s offense is a machine with him at the controls.

– Marcus Fuller


2Q: Jackson County Central 26, Eden Valley-Watkins 0

Roman Voss is doing it all. As if his impact on offense wasn’t enough, the 6-4, 230-pound senior intercepted a pass from Eden Valley-Watkins on the sideline. Two plays later, Voss connected with Gage Johnson on a screen pass that went for a 44-yard touchdown. Johnson shook several defenders on his way into the end zone. The Huskies are making a huge statement early.

— Marcus Fuller


2Q: Jackson County Central 20, Eden Valley-Watkins 0

Late in the first quarter, Roman Voss left the game briefly to get his left leg wrapped just below the knee, but he returned after Jackson County Central converted on third-and-7. That didn’t slow down Voss much at all. Several plays later, the Huskies scored eight seconds into the second quarter on Voss’ 40-yard run. Pretty much untouched on the left side. He has 10 carries for 79 yards and three touchdowns. They finally converted the extra-point play on a run from Tate Phillips.

– Marcus Fuller


1Q: Jackson County Central 12, Eden Valley-Watkins 0

The Huskies were stopped short of the end zone on two straight plays from inside the EVW’s 5-yard line. They faced a 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line. After a timeout, Jackson County Central was called for a false start, which made it an even tougher scoring opportunity. Not too tough for Roman Voss, who followed his blockers on a power sweep play in for a 6-yard touchdown. Another extra-point play was not converted, though.

– Marcus Fuller


1Q: Jackson County Central 6, Eden Valley-Watkins 0

In the first Class 2A semifinal Friday morning at U.S. Bank Stadium, Jackson County Central struck first with Gophers commit Roman Voss scoring on a 13-yard run to cap a six-play, 29-yard drive. The Huskies forced a fumble on Eden Valley-Watkins’ opening drive, which was recovered by South Dakota State commit Weston Rowe.

– Marcus Fuller


Jackson County Central running back Gage Johnson (9) and linebacker Kollin Brennan (33) warmup before playing Eden Valley-Watkins in the Class 2A semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Pregame: Eden Valley-Watkins vs. Jackson County Central, Class 2A

Eden Valley-Watkins enters the semifinals with a record of 9-2. Jackson County Central, the defending 2A champions, are undefeated at 11-0.

LaMichael Artis has roughly 1,200 yards on the ground for Eden Valley-Watkins, along with 10 TDs. Quarterback Blake Glenz has thrown for 1,210 yards and 20 TDs, mostly to Brayden Becker (710 yards, 14 TDS).

Roman Voss, the state’s No. 1-rated recruit in the 2026 class and a Gophers commit, is the center of JCC’s offense.

Comment

About the Authors

Cassidy Hettesheimer

Sports reporter

Cassidy Hettesheimer is a high school sports reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune.

See More

Marcus Fuller

Reporter

Marcus Fuller is Strib Varsity's Insider reporter, providing high school beat coverage, features, analysis and recruiting updates. He's a former longtime Gophers and college sports writer for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

See More

Jim Paulsen

Reporter

Jim Paulsen is a high school sports reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

See More

Comments