4A quarterfinals: Mankato West 31, Northfield 20

West made it four in a row over Northfield, taking charge with five successive scoring drives in a playoff win.

By RON HAGGSTROM, Star Tribune

Last update: November 13, 2009 - 10:19 PM

In the dome, under the sun or in a light rain, Northfield has found out Mankato West is a pain.

Sophomore quarterback Philip Nelson directed five consecutive scoring drives to open the game, and Class 4A state champion Mankato West beat Northfield 31-20 for the fourth time over the past two years Friday night at Lakeville North High school in the state tournament quarterfinals. The victory extended the Scarlets' winning streak to 17 games.

"It's the same type of game every time," Mankato West coach Mark Esch said. "We have been fortunate to get a couple of big plays against them."

Mankato West (11-0) rolled to a 33-14 victory over the Raiders in last year's state championship. It also won the past two season openers (35-17 this year and 35-13 in 2008).

"Our coaches deserve all the credit," Nelson said. "They draw up the game plan and make the adjustments."

After a 30-yard field goal by Ken Ouren on the Scarlets' opening drive, Nelson finished off the next four drives with touchdown passes. He completed six of seven passes for 109 yards during that span.

The Scarlets took a 17-7 lead at halftime on back-to-back touchdown passes from Nelson to Nick Kaus. The junior wide receiver hauled in a 48-yard post pattern prior to a 5-yard out call on a third-down play with just over two minutes left in the first half.

Nelson looked in a different direction in the third quarter. Junior wide receiver Des Spann caught 12- and 8-yard touchdown passes that extended the lead to 31-7.

Nelson's success through the air was the direct result of Mankato West's time-consuming ground attack. Senior running back Andy Pfeiffer rushed for 172 yards on 29 carries.

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