Credit: Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald
Two City teams make it to state
North, Washburn qualify for playoffs
It’s hard to remember any time when two football teams from the Minneapolis City Conference have qualified for the state playoffs in the same year.
After last Friday evening, that concept will be etched in the memory of fans, alumni, and former student athletes who played for City Conference schools on the grid iron. Minneapolis North and Minneapolis Washburn will represent the City Conference in the state playoffs.
North, a perennial football power since the turn of the century, defeated St. Croix Lutheran, while Washburn was victorious over City Conference rival Minneapolis Southwest.
Washburn makes it to state
For the first time since 2007 Minneapolis Washburn — thanks to seniors Andrew Backus, Heston Anderson and Henry Eichten — has qualified for the state playoffs. The Millers defeated Minneapolis Southwest 17-0 to capture the Class 5A, Section 5 championship.
Anderson, a wide receiver and defensive back, ran for one touchdown (86 yards) and caught a pass for another (15 yards) from quarterback Backus, while Eichten, a running back and defensive back, added a field goal (25 yards) to complete the scoring for Washburn. Eichten also rushed for 171 yards on 26 carries.
The Millers have now qualified for the state playoffs seven times (1972, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1997, 2007, 2025) winning Class AA titles in ’72 and ’77. Washburn will face Elk River in the Class 5A state quarterfinals.
North is back
After missing the state playoffs last season, Minneapolis North is back after a 56-44 victory over St. Croix Lutheran to win the Class 3A, Section 4 championship. The Polars will face Pine Island in the Class 3A state quarterfinals.
Logan Lachermeir threw seven touchdown passes to lead North. The senior quarterback’s passes were completed to wide receiver Anthony Deline (three for 16, 42 and 71 yards), wide receiver J’Marion Sanders (two for 53 and 4 yards), wide receiver Jeremiah Jackson (one for 2 Yards), and wide receiver Cordae Williams (one for 55 yards).
With the Polars trailing 44-42 in the fourth quarter, Lachermeir threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Williams followed by a two-point conversion pass from Sanders to Jackson, and Powell returned an interception 50 yards for a score to seal the victory.
North has reached the state playoff 12 times (2000, 2003, 2009, 2014, 2015 a runner-up, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023), winning the Class A championship in 2016.
Ryan Galindo coaches Washburn and Charles Adams leads North.
The Minneapolis City Conference is well represented.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.