Taking notes

An early brush with kicking immortality

Edina coach Kim Nelson doesn't take credit for making Adam Vinatieri an established NFL kicker, but he was Vinatieri's high school coach at Rapid City (S.D.) Central.

"He was our quarterback and we ran the option," Nelson said. "We didn't even line up for field goals very often."

After high school, Vinatieri went to South Dakota State. He spent 10 years with the New England Patriots before joining the Indianapolis Colts last season.

"He played soccer as a kid, but not in high school," Nelson said. "He was a wrestler and a pole vaulter. He was a really good athlete, a very motivated, talented kid."

Decisive action pays off for Blaine

Two games into the season, Blaine coach Shannon Gerrety made a decision to change quarterbacks. He hasn't regretted that decision, and Tuesday night he watched it pay off in a big way when junior James Peterson, the new starter, made the decisive play in the Bengals' 28-12 upset at No. 2 seed Coon Rapids in the Class 5A, Section 7 playoffs. Peterson exhibited his determination and athleticism on a 16-yard TD scramble that put Blaine in front 21-12.

"He's a big kid [6-2, 190], and there's no question about his arm strength," Gerrety said. "The other thing is, he's probably our best running back, too. I just told myself we were going to live and die with this kid. Now we're living to see another day." Indeed. The seventh-seeded Bengals will play at No. 3 seed Andover at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Big test for run-happy Orono

In Orono's past three games, all victories, senior Doug Haugan has 69 carries for 423 yards. But Saturday's Class 4A, Section 6 semifinal opponent -- No. 1 Spring Lake Park -- allows fewer than nine points per game and has forced 12 fumbles. "They're bigger, faster, stronger than any team we've faced all year long," Spartans offensive coordinator Steve Fedie said. "I'll be surprised to see [Haugan] get that many carries. But if it works out that way, great."