Quarterfinal Results and Standouts from Class 4A MN

As we continue our recap of the 2025 state playoff quarterfinals' round, we move over to Class 4A, in which nearly all of the top teams from each bracket won over the weekend in strong fashion, with none of the games ending as one-score games, leaving the best of the best for the final 4, setting the stage for two hugely contested battles that will take place later this week. We recap the 4 quarterfinal matches from Class 4A MN that took place this weekend!   Benilde-St. Margaret's vs. Grand Rapids: 54-7   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Grand Rapids has only one loss this season and every one of their wins this season have come through deficits of two possessions or more. After back-to-back stunners over SMB and Holy Angels, the Red Knights came back down to earth as they proved no match against the Thunderhawks' dominant run-game, which compiled 367 yards and 8 TDs with an average of 7.8 YPC. The Thunderhawks built a 41-0 lead at halftime, effectively sealing the game pretty early on. The combination of their deadly run-attack and smearing defense has put Grand Rapids in position to take home the 4A title for the first time this season. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Top Performer: Mason Johnson (JR) - 10 different players carried the ball for Grand Rapids on Thursday night, but Johnson was a different breed of runner with the ball in his hands. Johnson carried the ball for 103 yards and 4 TDs on just 11 carries (9.4 YPC) with all 4 of his TDs coming in the first half alone. He also recorded 7 tackles, 1 sack, and a forced fumble on defense. </li> </ul>   Orono vs. Fergus Falls: 36-14   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The only road win of the quarterfinals' round in Class 4A, Orono exploded out of the gates with 14 unanswered points in the first quarter. The Otters were able to keep the game fairly close, battling back to make it a 20-14 deficit heading into the 4th. However, they had no answers against the Spartans' run game, which rumbled their way for 302 yards and 5 TDs. The Spartans broke through with 2 more touchdowns in the 4th and the Otters ran out of steam, allowing Orono to secure an upset win. Orono continues to showcase their grit through the postseason, and they will have to once again prove that they deserve the rights to be considered top contenders in this conference taking on #1-ranked Marshall this week. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='1992084' first='Hudson' last='Hirt'] (SO) - Hirt has been carrying the ball a lot more over the last few weeks for the Spartans, and his growing efforts culminated with the biggest game so far of his high school career. Hirt ran for 183 yards on 24 carries (7.6 YPC) and a rushing TD. </li> </ul>   Totino-Grace vs. Marshall: 21-9   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The score was the closest margin of this round, but Marshall was in control throughout the entire game. A potent defense that was able to keep their opponent under 10 points for the 4th game in a row, combined with a steady run game which worked their way up for 231 yards on the ground was able to carefully wear down the Eagles and leave them scrambling with no answers. The Tigers continue to prove their dominance in their undefeated campaign so far this season as they continue to imprint their status as clear frontrunners for the 4A state title this season. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='591747' first='Andrew' last='Stelter'] (SR) - The two-way standout for Marshall had another big performance for Marshall on Thursday as he was able to run all over the Eagles' defense. Stelter finished with 146 rushing yards on 21 carries (7 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs while adding a 16 yard TD reception, the only completion of the game. Stelter also co-led the team with 7 tackles on defense. </li> </ul>   Hill-Murray vs. Kasson-Mantorville: 35-21   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The game was dominated on the trenches as the two offenses combined for a total of 466 rushing yards. However, the key of the game came on efficiency, as while Hill-Murray had more yards on the day than the Komets, they had far more misses than hits, and the Komets were able to capitalize off of the Pioneers' mistakes to build a 35-14 lead heading into the 4th quarter, essentially putting the game out of reach. The Komets will now have their most difficult competition by far this season to come against Grand Rapids this week. </li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Top Performer: Jeremiah Peterson (SR) - Since coming back from injury, Peterson's workload has steadily increased, and he's already looking like his mid-season form once again. Peterson ran for 137 yards on just 13 carries (10.5 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs while adding 2 receptions for 37 yards and a TD along with 1 sack on defense. </li> </ul>   Setting the Stage For the Class 4A Semifinals:   Kasson-Mantorville vs. Grand Rapids:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>A battle between the top scoring offense and the third highest scoring offense in Class 4A, Grand Rapids holds easily one of the best overall rushing units in the entire state with over 3600 total rushing yards and 58 rushing TDs. Kasson-Mantorville shows a better level of balance with their pass and run. Kasson-Mantorville should not be ignored, as they've been able to get over the hump in the playoffs over very tough teams, including Stewartville and Byron. However, Grand Rapids will not as easy of a feat to overcome, especially going against a defense that has allowed a whoppingly low 7.7 points per game this season. The odds are stacked against the Komets in this one, but don't expect to go down without a fight. </li> </ul>   Orono vs. Marshall:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>A rematch from week 6 this season, Orono proved one of the Tigers' toughest opponents, and while the Tigers prevailed, their 13-12 margin was the closest they came to losing this season. On paper, Orono's offense has an advantage over Marshall in terms of having a stronger balance of pass-run efficiency, ranking 4th in the conference in total passing yards, and their production on the ground ranking not too far behind the Tigers in the rankings. However, in the first go-around between these two, Orono was limited to 150 total yards of offense and just 2.7 yards per carry on the ground. Giving up just 6.2 points per game, Marshall has one of the very best defenses in the entire state, and this rematch may go down as a low scoring affair once again. This rematch may very well end up as an ugly battle where each team will have to fight for every inch if they want to get into the state championship game.</li> </ul>

As we continue our recap of the 2025 state playoff quarterfinals' round, we move over to Class 4A, in which nearly all of the top teams from each bracket won over the weekend in strong fashion, with none of the games ending as one-score games, leaving the best of the best for the final 4, setting the stage for two hugely contested battles that will take place later this week. We recap the 4 quarterfinal matches from Class 4A MN that took place this weekend!