Washburn 42, St. Thomas Academy 41

Minneapolis Washburn football coach Peter Haugen's voice could barely be heard in the mosh pit of exuberance his players created following their 42-41 victory over St. Thomas Academy on Friday night in Mendota Heights.

"Take a knee. Take a knee!" he said as they finally calmed down.

The Millers (9-2) had just roared back from a 35-21 deficit with 10 minutes, 34 seconds left, and advanced to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 1997.

"That was one of the most amazing games I've ever been a part of," said Haugen, the Washburn coach for 14 years, as he addressed his players.

It made sense.

Two running backs scored three touchdowns apiece. Both teams' starting quarterbacks were knocked out because of injuries. Each team used a trick play to score.

Washburn took a 42-35 lead with 4:16 to play on a 21-yard halfback pass by freshman Montrell Wade that found Peter Branstad open on fourth- and-1.

Fourth-and-1!

"I knew I could get the pass there," said Wade, who played some quarterback for the freshman Millers before the big boys needed him.

Washburn tried to run out the clock, but the Cadets (9-2) ended up getting the ball back with less than a minute to play. Backup quarterback Garrison Draves moved the ball downfield, then hit tight end Alex Schneider for a 25-yard touchdown with 1.4 seconds left.

The Cadets decided to end the game there and go for two -- starting quarterback Foley Schmidt, also the kicker, was knocked out at the end of the first half because of a left ankle injury. Gabe Kleinschmidt took a pitch but was pounded to the turf by a blitzing Ra'Shede Hageman.

"You have to go all out there," said Hageman, who caught two touchdown passes as a tight end.

St. Thomas Academy looked in control after taking a 35-21 lead on Fritz Waldvogel's 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. But, for some reason, Cadets running backs started carrying the football like it was dipped in floor wax.

Waldvogel was brilliant early, scoring three touchdowns. But he had two of the Cadets' three fumbles in the fourth quarter.

Players from both teams were crying after the game. The tears of joy came from Washburn, who are proud to represent the city schools in the quarterfinals.

"Oh yes," Hageman said, "definitely."

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com