5A: Eagan 52, Hastings 7

Junior quarterback Jameson Parsons is officially back. Zach Zenner, who replaced Parsons at QB while he missed six games because of a broken collarbone, is officially free to run wild again.

And perhaps most important at this time of year: Eagan is officially dangerous.

With Parsons directing a potent offense and Zen-ner making big plays in multiple ways, the Wildcats steamrolled Hastings 52-7 in Tuesday's Class 5A, Section 4 quarterfinal at St. Thomas Academy.

"It really puts a lot of pressure on the defense," Eagan coach Rick Sutton said.

The victory sets up a now-intriguing section semifinal Saturday against top-seeded Cretin-Derham Hall, which used its quarterfinal bye to scout its next opponent. Those leaving in Raiders letter jackets couldn't have liked what they saw.

Parsons led Eagan (5-4) to an opening-week victory over Lakeville South and had his squad up 14-0 on Lakeville North in week two before breaking the collarbone on his right (throwing) side. He was cleared to return late last week and made the most of his opportunity in his first game back despite a little early rust.

"It was really nice to get back to the way we started the season," Zenner said. "We just had to get Jameson back, and now we're right back on the hot streak."

It was Zenner, though, who stole the show with five first-half touchdowns -- three rushing (two covered more than 50 yards) and two on passes from Parsons late in the half as the quarterback settled into a groove.

Zenner finished with 212 yards on the ground. Another 29-yard TD run for Zenner in the third quarter sent the game on its way to running time in the fourth -- and allowed the starters to take a seat.

The senior captain, who hadn't played QB since youth football, stepped in and ran for 800-plus yards and threw for 400-plus more with Parsons out. He thrived out of the backfield Tuesday, and having two players who can throw and run allowed Eagan to try some interesting formations.

On Eagan's first play from scrimmage -- following a 95-yard kickoff return by Dan Guelle to open the game that gave Hastings (3-6) a brief 7-0 lead -- Parsons lined up in the slot and came in motion from left to right. Zenner took a direct snap and burst 51 yards up the right sideline for a TD.

Later, Parsons lined up again in the slot, then came in motion and stopped under center. He took the snap and handed to Zenner for a more traditional 4-yard gain. Cretin-Derham Hall figures to see even more exotic looks Saturday.

Most of the time Tuesday, Parsons was in the shotgun, running a version of the spread offense that sure looks dangerous. Combined with an opportunistic defense that had four interceptions in the first three quarters, the Wildcats, at the very least, cannot be taken lightly.

"I think we're definitely dangerous," Zenner said. "We have so many weapons and schemes."

Michael Rand • mrand@startribune.com