DULUTH DENFELD (1-3) AT HERMANTOWN (4-2)
What: Section 7AAAA semifinal game
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Centricity Stadium/Corey Veech Field
Outlook: The fourth-seeded Hunters opened the season with a 36-0 loss to the Hawks and now will end the season win or lose against the same opponent since Duluth activities are being shut down starting Wednesday due to a surge in COVID-19 positive tests across St. Louis County. The virus prevented Denfeld from playing its final two regular-season games. The Hunters were slated to meet Hibbing tonight in a first-round contest before the Bluejackets pulled the plug on fall sports, vaulting Denfeld into the semifinals. Denfeld beat Hibbing 50-22 in its most recent game Oct. 30, second-year coach Erik Lofald’s first win after an 0-12 start. Senior running back Keyshawn Beckom (107 carries, 671 yards) ran for 274 yards and scored six touchdowns in that game. RB Carter Kilroy also surpassed 100 yards. … The top-seeded Hawks ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak, capping it off with a 28-0 shutout of rival Proctor. Quarterback Michael Lau (23 completions, 50 attempts, 420 yards, 5 TDs) has Mitchell Warmington (12 catches, 195 yards) and Daniel Walsh (9-120) as his top targets. Gavin Blomdahl (61-425, 5 TDs) and Robbie Thorsten (54-383, 7 TDs) form a 1-2 punch in the backfield. The winner faces either Cloquet or North Branch in the section final Nov. 25 at Hermantown.
