By Mitchell P. McDonald
Contributing Writer
For Minneapolis Washburn, it’s as if the Twin Cities football game never happened. Just a couple of weeks ago, the Millers were losing handily to St. Paul City Conference champion Central.
Washburn, who shared the Minneapolis crown with South and Southwest, lost 56-6. The setback, which some feel led to their No. 2 seed in Section 2AAA, had many wondering what happened to the 10-time conference champions.
The Millers responded to their critics with victories over St. Peter (34-22) and Blue Earth Area (40-13). Those victories have Washburn one victory away from the Class 3A state playoffs.
Quarterback KYLE HUGHES, running back JEFFEREY JONES, and wide receiver CEDRIC CHAPPELL have led the Millers’ offensive attack.
Defensively, TREY POWELL, EMMITT SMITH, CAINE BEDFORD, PEYTON LAUBER and CHARLES LIGHTING have performed well for Washburn.
Hughes ran for three touchdowns and passed for three more against Blue Earth Area.
Humboldt’s outstanding season ends
St. Paul Humboldt’s 50-14 Section 4AA semifinal setback to Maple Lake ended one of the best football seasons in Hawk history.
Led by Head Coach ANTHONY MINUS, a Humboldt alum, and assistants JASON FINNE, ARTHUR MINUS, CARL THOMAS, JO JO VERDEJA, SAM GEISSINGER, JOHN ROBINSON, JR. and DEAN BLAIR, the Hawks made it to the semifinals for the first time since 1986.
The Hawks’ success can be attributed to the leadership of quarterback ALEC VERDEJA, the running back quartet of CORTEZ ADAMS, JULIAN LUSTER, CHASE LUSTER and track phenom CALVIN CLARK, and the defensive play of MICHAEL FLOWERS, ALEX RIVERA and VICTOR FRANCO.
Dynamic duo leads Hopkins
Senior running back DAMI MAFE and junior receiver ANDRE MCDONALD are two reasons that Hopkins’ football team finds itself one game away from the Section 6AAAAA championship and a spot in the Class 5A state playoffs.
In the 45-42 semifinal victory over Shakopee, Mafe, the teams’ leading rusher, scored twice, and McDonald caught a pass for another score.
McDonald has emerged as one of the state’s top receivers.
DeLaSalle keeps rolling along
DeLaSalle defeated St. Croix Lutheran 61-20 to reach the Section 4AAA title game last Saturday.
The Islanders, a perennial football power regardless of class, got outstanding performances from quarterback TYLER HARPER (three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns), running back REGGIE GANDY (three touchdowns), ROSS BARKER (two touchdown receptions), TAYLOR TRAWICK (one touchdown), and BAKER WHEELER (one touchdown).
Quarterback leads new team past old team
At this time last year, D.J. HEBERT was emerging as one of the state’s top quarterback prospects as a sophomore signal caller at Robbinsdale Cooper.
Hebert displayed those same skills as he led his new school, Osseo, to a 50-0 Section 5AAAAA victory over Cooper last Saturday.
He threw three touchdown passes and ran for another during the victory.
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.
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