CLASS 4A

Hutchinson 56, North Branch 28: Nathan Thode ran for 171 yards and four touchdowns to go with an interception on defense Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium, while Carter Verhasselt tallied 120 yards and a score on the ground as Hutchinson ran its way into the Class 4A final for the third consecutive season.

Hutchinson (10-2) will meet Rocori in the Class 4A title game on Friday, Nov. 24 at 4 p.m. Rocori beat Hutchinson 11-0 on Sept. 22.

The Tigers fell to Simley in last year’s state final after winning the 2021 state title.

Charles Renner had a 64-yard receiving touchdown, while also rushing for a score.

Tyler Minke reeled in two catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns for North Branch (10-2), while Jacob Robillard ran for 112 yards on the ground.

Hutchinson won the turnover battle 3-0. The Tigers scored six touchdowns Friday, and successfully completed the ensuing two-point attempt after each of them.

CLASS 2A

Eden Valley-Watkins 42, Cannon Falls 24: Cannon Falls got its rushing attack going Friday, tallying 449 yards on the ground on 6.2 yards per attempt. Dylan Banks ran for 152 yards, while Derrik Bechtholdt added on 127.

The Bombers ran 50 more plays and compiled 16 more first downs than Eden Valley-Watkins.

And yet, Cannon Falls (10-3) was beaten decisively. How? Because the Bombers had drives of 10 plays, 13 plays and 17 plays end on turnover on downs, while Eden Valley-Watkins had four touchdown “drives” that tallied four plays or less.

Eden Valley-Watkins quarterback Nolan Geislinger ran for 120 yards and two scores, while throwing for 179 yards and another three touchdowns. Each of the latter went the way of Wyatt Moehrle.

Eden Valley-Watkins (12-0) had three touchdowns of 50-plus yards, and two more that spanned more than 20 yards.

Barnesville 38, Jackson County Central 23: Jackson County Central claimed a 15-6 lead in the second quarter Friday on the second of Seth Stai’s three touchdown runs.

It was essentially all Barnesville from there.

The defending state champion Trojans (13-0) scored the game’s next 32 points en route to a convincing victory. They’re now one win away from a repeat. Barnesville will play Eden Valley-Watkins for the Class 2A crown on Friday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. back in downtown Minneapolis.

Barnesville won the turnover battle 4-1, and out-gained Jackson County Central (12-1) by a 359-249 margin. Gannon Bolgrean had an interception and a fumble recovery on defense to go with a receiving touchdown, while Peyton Amundson forced two fumbles, recovering one.

Cameron Halverson ran for 84 yards and two scores for the Trojans.

Related Articles

High school football playoffs: St. Thomas Academy rallies from 23-0 deficit to stun Alexandria in Class 5A semifinal

High school football: Saturday state tournament semifinal predictions

Class 6A state football semifinal: Centennial reaches championship game for first time since 1984

High school football state semifinals roundup: Rocori edges Byron in 4A slugfest, 9-player final set

High school football: Friday state semifinal predictions