Defense, running game put the Zephyrs in the title game.
The Mahtomedi Zephyrs took control of their AAAAA semi-final game against Robbinsdale Cooper from the game’s second possession and never let up. Defensively, they didn’t allow the Hawks to cross mid-field in the first half and used a strong running game to advance to the Prep Bowl with a dominating 34-7 victory.
The Zephyrs’ special teams – which were just as dominating as the defense- put them in a great position to take an early lead. Gunnar Woods‘ 28-yard punt return set them up in plus territory. Cooper nearly got off the field without giving up a score, but Mahtomedi quarterback Charles Brandt found Ethan Loss on fourth and five. His one-handed catch was good for ten yards and a first and goal. Two plays later, Brandt’s one-yard dive made the score 7-0.
Woods set his team up in excellent field position again with his second straight punt return that crossed midfield. On third and long, Loss caught a tipped ball for a first down. Running back Jordan Hull capped off the drive with a spinning, powerful touchdown run. The Zephyrs got a huge break on the goal line when Hull fumbled at the goal line, but the officials ruled simultaneous possession and a touchdown for the Zephyrs.
The defense made another stop, and yet another good punt return – this time by Corey Bohmert – set the Zephyrs up near mid-field again. An end-around to Woods and the second good bounce off another Zephyrs’ fumble gave Mahtomedi another first down. A third fumble recovery – this time by Loss – kept a drive alive. Nicholas Beiersdorf was the workhorse on the drive, picking up most of the yardage behind fullback Dominic Rohrer. Brandt capped the drive off with a four-yard touchdown pass to Ramsey Morrell.
Cooper had its first snap in Mahtomedi territory with 3:45 to play in the second quarter, but a great play on the outside by Loss forced a fourth and short. Cody Dvorak and Jonathan Harvey stuffed a run to outside to stop the drive.
Up 21-0, the Mahtomedi defense continued to control the game. An interception by Loss gave the ball right back to the Zephyrs’ offense, but the Cooper defense would force a punt. The punt started the Hawks’ best drive of the game, but Woods stepped in front of a slant and picked off the pass – returning it for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Cooper needed to gamble down four scores, and after moving the ball out near midfield, they rolled the dice on a fourth and two. Mahtomedi’s John-Paul Johnson – who was in the backfield all afternoon – beat his blocker and stuffed the run short of the sticks.
Mahtomedi’s next two drives resulted in two field goals for Joseph Heinsch from 31 and 38 yards. Heinsch was a weapon on kickoffs too. All but one of his kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. His leg was a key factor for the Zephyrs’ defense. He allowed his team to dominate the field position game throughout the game.
Cooper would get on the board late in the fourth quarter to make it a 34-7 final.