at WASHBURN
Minneapolis Washburn 56, ST. Paul Highland Park 50
Four-star running back Jeff Jones' sixth touchdown — a 1-yard run late in the game — gave Minneapolis Washburn a 56-50 victory over St. Paul Highland Park in Friday night's home opener.
In a back-and-forth game, Jones proved to be the biggest game-changer. He rushed for 152 yards, returned a kickoff for 85 yards and had 95 receiving yards.
A combined 36 points were scored in the third quarter when both teams' defenses had little time to rest.
Highland Park quarterback Paul Munoz threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns.
Key of the game: The quick-footed Jones did plenty with his 19 carries, but it was one of his three receptions that made the biggest impact on the game.
He took a 6-yard pass on the left side of the field and turned it into a 42-yard gain into the red zone with under 1:30 to play. He juked three Highland Park defenders before finding the space he needed across the field.
He scored the winning touchdown four plays later.
Quote of the night: "It's a blessing to be able to play like that. I feel like I have a lot to prove this season. I didn't have the junior year I wanted. Now I have to step up the whole season." — Washburn's Jeff Jones
One thing to know: Munoz didn't expect so much from his first start. The senior completed 18 of 28 passes. At one point, he completed six consecutive passes that included two touchdowns. Munoz said the Scots went to the air because of Washburn's bigger bodies.
Jason GonzaLEZ
