GRAND RAPIDS AT DULUTH DENFELD
What: Section 7AAAA
semifinal
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Public Schools Stadium
Records: Grand Rapids 3-6; Denfeld 6-3
Outlook: The sixth-seeded Thunderhawks upset No. 3 Hermantown 32-8 in the quarterfinals Tuesday behind QB Austin Pohlen's 14-for-26, 308-yard, two-touchdown performance. Pohlen also ran for two scores as Grand Rapids beat the Hawks for the second straight playoffs. Denfeld won this matchup, 35-21, during the regular season. ... C.J. Ham rushed for 99 yards and three TDs in the second-seeded Hunters' 45-20 win over Hibbing in the quarterfinals. QB Mitch Svihel threw TD passes of 31 and 62 yards to improve to 3-0 since taking over the reins and give Denfeld its first playoff win since 2005. The team's six wins are two more than it earned in the 2006-08 seasons combined.
Radio: WEBC-AM 560
DULUTH CENTRAL AT BEMIDJI
What: Section 7AAAA
semifinal
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Bemidji State University
Records: Central 1-7; Bemidji 4-5
Outlook: The Trojans pulled, perhaps, the upset of the year Tuesday with a 20-14 quarterfinal win at top-seeded Cloquet. Joey Janchar ran for 115 yards, Luke Johannessen had 113 yards on the ground and Nate Beaulieu added an 81-yard scoring run as Central, which is likely in its final season as a program, stayed alive for at least another game. ... The fifth-seeded Lumberjacks blanked Duluth East 20-0 in the quarterfinals at PSS as Kevin Nelson and Czar Woods dominated the rushing attack. QB Mitchell Hendricks, the son of coach Troy Hendricks, received clearance earlier in the day to play after missing four games with a collarbone injury.
ALBROOK AT CROMWELL
What: Section 5 Nine-Man semifinal
When: 7 p.m.
Records: AlBrook 6-3; Cromwell 8-1
Outlook: The Falcons used their passing game to oust Hill City 36-16 a week ago in the quarterfinals. QB Cody Anderson threw for 371 yards in that game and has more than 2,500 yards passing and 30 TDs this season. Cousins Kolten and Bryce Karppinen have combined for more than 110 receptions and 1,500 yards. These teams did not meet during the regular season. ... The Cardinals handled Silver Bay 50-8 in the quarterfinals as QB Jordan Suhonen rushed for 134 yards, threw for one TD and ran for two more. Cromwell has won five straight since a three-point loss to McGregor.
Radio: WKLK-FM 96.5
FLOODWOOD AT MCGREGOR
What: Section 5 Nine-Man semifinal
When: 1 p.m.
Records: Floodwood 5-4; McGregor 8-0
Outlook: The Polar Bears rolled to a 40-0 victory over Cotton in the quarterfinals, snapping a three-game losing streak. Jeremy Matvey and Amos Blanton each rushed for two TDs. Blanton leads the team with 590 yards rushing and QB Zach Heggedahl has thrown for 696 yards. ... The top-seeded Mercuries received a quarterfinal bye. McGregor has excelled in close games, going 3-0 in games decided by five points or less, but also won twice via forfeit. The Mercuries beat the Polar Bears 15-14 in the regular season as time ran out with Floodwood on the 1-yard line.
RICK WEEGMAN, NEWS TRIBUNE
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