Quarterfinal Results and Standouts from Class 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continuing down the line of our final-4 matchups in the state playoffs, we move down to Class 5A MN, where many of the teams at the very top of our standings remain alive in this playoff race, and the matchups over this previous weekend consisted of several close, back-and-forth battles in which the teams refused to go down easily with their seasons, and for some, their high school careers on the line. We recap everything that went down over the quarterfinals in Class 5A MN over this weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Minneapolis Washburn vs. <strong>Elk River: 53-20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The one game that didn't end up as a close affair this weekend was Elk River, who made swift work of taking down the Millers, having the game sealed by the end of the first half as they scored all 53 points in the 1st half. The Millers had no answer for the Elks' impressively diverse run-game, with 15 different players taking a carry on Saturday, the Elks rumbled for 369 yards on the ground, averaging 9.7 yards per carry. This win marks the 8th game this season where Elk River has scored 50+ points offensively this season as they continue to dominate the trenches.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='1120521' first='Carsyn' last='Kleffman'] (JR) - </strong>Kleffman only carried the ball 5 times on Saturday, but he did more with the ball in his hands than anyone else, rushing for 62 yards and 4 rushing TDs while adding a 60 yard TD reception, the only reception in the passing game on Saturday. Additionally, he added 6 tackles, 1 sack, and a forced fumble on defense. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Spring Lake Park</strong> vs. Alexandria Area: <strong>13-12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A dramatic low-scoring affair, both teams struggled with missed opportunities and simple mistakes during this game. After a scoreless halftime, the Cardinals got on the board in the third quarter, but their gambit for a 2 point conversion failed. The Panthers responded with a TD in the 4th, but their extra point attempt was deflected and missed the upright. Alexandria had an opportunity to take the lead late in the 4th quarter, driving deep into Panthers' territory to set up a game-leading field goal with a minute left in regulation, but the kick was blocked, sending the game into OT. Spring Lake Park scored a TD and extra point on their first drive in Overtime. The Cardinals responded with a TD, but decided to try again with a 2-pont attempt. In the end, the 2-point conversion was stuffed again, just inches short of the goal-line, securing a signature win for the Panthers to continue the magical run they've been having this season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='579559' first='Marcus' last='Snyder'] (SR) - </strong>Continuing a massive campaign as the spearhead for the Panthers' secondary, Snyder finished the game with 11 tackles and an INT, and he saved his best for the end of the game, forcing Alexandria QB Talan Witt out of bounds just shorting of breaking the pylon on the final 2-point conversion attempt to secure the win. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Rochester Mayo vs.<strong> St. Thomas Academy: 21-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Thomas Academy was victorious in the first go-around, winning 17-12, but Rochester Mayo was looking to write a different story in this rematch. Keeping up with the Cadets early on, the Spartans kept the game tied at 7-7 through the first half. However, the Cadets got the run game going in the second half to build a 21-7 lead heading into the 4th. Thanks in part to several defensive stands, the Spartans scored with 3 and a half minutes to go before forcing a 3-&amp;-out to get the ball back with just over 2 minutes to go. The Spartans drove to the Cadets' 33 yard line before facing 4th and 1 with 33 seconds remaining. The final run attempt was stuffed short of the line to gain, allowing the Cadets to secure another close win to sweep Rochester Mayo and keep their undefeated season alive as they look to claim the 5A title for the first time in 50 years.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='923837' first='Dominic' last='Baez'] (SR) - </strong>Entrusting Baez in pounding the ball with steady forward-pushing efforts, Baez grinded his way for 126 rushing yards on 27 carries (4.6 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs, both coming in the 3rd quarter as he was able to control the ball and the clock for much of the second half. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cretin-Derham Hall vs. <strong>Chanhassen: 23-19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Coming off a thrilling victory over Mahtomedi, Cretin-Derham Hall had a tough matchup against the Hawks, but the Raiders were able to give the Hawks all they could handle. However, their efforts were pitted by several key mistakes. Leading 13-7 late in the half, the Raiders attempted a fake field goal, which backfired as Chanhassen intercepted it with 18 seconds left. The Hawks quickly drove down the field and scored to take a 1 point lead at halftime. This changed the momentum of the game in which the Hawks would not give up their lead. The Raiders fought their way back and scored with over 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter, but their game-tying two point attempt was no good. Chanhassen was able to run out most of the clock and were in victory formation inside the Raiders' 5 yard line, but a botched snap allowed the Raiders to get the ball back at their 4 with 32 seconds left. However, with the odds stacked against them, the Raiders were sacked in their end zone two plays later, giving Chanhassen the game-sealing safety to send them to the final 4. The Hawks continue to look unstoppable on their road for a third straight state championship title. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='1255909' first='Nathan' last='Ramler'] (SR) - </strong>Ramler continues to be in full command of this Hawks' offense, finishing 18 of 26 passing for 218 yards and a TD while adding 2 rushing TDs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Setting the Stage for the Class 5A Semifinals:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Chanhassen vs. Elk River:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This matchup will be a highly anticipated battle of two powerhouse offensive units. Elk River holds the top rushing offense (403.9 YPG) and the top overall scoring offense (44.1 PPG) in Class 5A. Chanhassen holds arguably the most proficient passing offense in the conference, with their total passer rating of 130.7 ranking as the highest among teams with over 1000 total passing yards through the season. Both offenses have proven incredibly strong, but the margin of defensive proficiency is a bit larger between these two. Chanhassen has allowed 14.6 PPG on defense while Elk River has given up 25.1 PPG this season. Through the playoffs, they have not allowed more than 23 points on defense, and they were able to outpace a Monticello team that they lost to in the regular season. However, Chanhassen will prove their toughest opponent by far this season, showing a far stronger balance of pass-run efficiency. This game should be a high-scoring affair, but if Chanhassen is able to gain a step ahead of the Elks, it could pit them in trouble as it will be difficult to slow the Hawks down. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Spring Lake Park vs. St. Thomas Academy:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>These two teams are toe-to-toe in offensive performance, with the units respectively ranking 5th and 6th in scoring offense with the Cadets just outpacing Spring Lake Park 374-366. Both units show a balance of strong running attacks and efficient passing games that have been able to produce a lot of scoring. Both groups also have among the best defenses in the conference, with the Panthers allowing just 11.5 PPG while the Cadets have allowed just 13.4 PPG. This is a very even matchup that could go either way, but the key toward who will get the edge is which team makes more simple mistakes. The Panthers have forced 22 turnovers on defense while the Cadets have forced 17. Both offensive units have been proficient, but as proven from their matches last week, they aren't perfect, and they could expect that this next matchup could have similar results. This game will come down to a matter of who's slate is cleaner when the dust settles. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->