4A: Mahtomedi 31, New Prague 15

Mahtomedi coach Dave Muetzel had launched into his postgame victory speech following the Zephyrs' 31-15 victory over New Prague in the Class 4A football quarterfinals Thursday night at Macalester.

Once again, Mahtomedi's football team found itself waiting for Bross Sivertson. This time, however, the circumstances were much happier. The fullback was lingering near the sidelines, a full 50 yards from the rest of his teammates, as they shouted for him.

"I was giving my mom a kiss," he explained to his teammates and again later to a reporter. "I didn't know [the guys] were all behind me."

The previous wait for Sivertson was much longer and was part of the reason a once-promising Mahtomedi season had taken a sharp detour. He was knocked out against Richfield -- Mahtomedi's fifth game and first loss -- because of a concussion. Sivertson, a key blocker for a team that runs out of the I-formation, missed the rest of the regular season, which included two more losses, both via shutout.

But the return of Sivertson and full health of 6-6, 265-pound center Ed Olson helped give the Zephyrs (9-3) new life in the postseason. Sivertson, in particular, has helped restore the run-pass balance that is so critical to Mahtomedi's success. The Zephyrs are averaging 38.5 points in four playoff games since his return.

"When Bross came back, it helped us run and pass," Mahtomedi receiver Justin Gominsky said. "Without him, I was seeing a lot more double-teams."

Gominsky, who entered play Thursday with 52 catches for 1,000 yards, caught touchdown passes of 21 and 8 yards from Vaughn Schmid in the first half Thursday, helping stake Mahtomedi to a 17-7 halftime lead.

The second half, meanwhile, was mostly about defense, the running of Stephen Johnson (1,590 yards coming in) and Sivertson's blocking. Nick Bradt and Hayden Esch had second-half interceptions. Esch's gave the Zephyrs the ball at the New Prague 38-yard line early in the third quarter; nine plays later -- seven of them runs by Johnson, including the drive-capper from 2 yards out -- Mahtomedi was up 24-7. Bradt's interception came early in the fourth quarter and led to another short Johnson TD run.

New Prague (6-6) cut it to 31-15 and drove late to Mahtomedi's 3 before stalling, ending a magical run for the Trojans that began with them entering section play with a 3-5 record. Meanwhile, Mahtomedi will play Thursday afternoon in the state semifinals at the Metrodome. For a while, that destination seemed out of the Zephyrs' grasp.

But like Muetzel told his team, they are playing another week, and that feels pretty good. He said that, naturally, after Sivertson had made his way back from both a concussion and a kiss.

Michael Rand • mrand@startribune.com