Lakeville North wins this one over South

Though running back Dajon Newell ultimately won the game for visiting Lakeville North over Lakeville South when he busted into the end zone from 3 yards out in overtime, credit for the Class 5A, Section 1 semifinal victory Saturday could just as easily be given to the Panthers defense.

In the game, South was stopped on goal to go from inside the 3 on five occasions.

Defensive linemen Cole Johnson, Ryan Slocomb, Matt Hanna and Chase Traefald, in addition to safety Devon Knopke, were key on those plays.

It's a good thing the game was a crosstown match-up.

Slocomb and Hanna are both playing despite having broken hands. Per an MSHSL rule, a physician's letter is required citing the need to play with a bandaged cast.

For the first time in his career, North coach Mike Zweber was asked for those letters by the game's officials Saturday.

"We had the letters," Zweber said. "But they were back at the trainer's office over at North."

Some scrambling had to be done, but just before kickoff the officials had the letters and Slocomb and Hanna were in the game.

"If we would have been down in Owatonna or Rochester or something, it would have been a real ugly situation," Zweber said.

Instead, Owatonna, which is seeded fourth, is getting set to travel to third-seeded North, where the Panthers are the hosts for a section championship game for the third year in a row. North went to state in 2007, but lost to South a year ago.

"They're excited, but one of the reasons we're still playing is that the kids expected it," Zweber said. "And that's not from a cockiness standpoint, that's from a confidence standpoint. You have to have some things bounce your way, but you have to take care of your own stuff, too."

North's semifinal victory over the Cougars was its first since Lakeville split into two schools five years ago.

Players spent Saturday night and Sunday celebrating the achievement, but by Monday it was back to Square 1. Zweber preached the importance of coming back to Earth and preparing steadily for the Huskies.

And, of course, cleaning up the 12 penalties they committed in Saturday's game.

"It's crucial that we put focus on playing Owatonna," Zweber said. "If we can eliminate those penalties, we can really move the ball. We're hoping we can continue that kind of effort and energy, because that's what's going to move us to the next level."

In other South metro section final football action scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday:

• Eastview plays host to fellow District 196 member Rosemount in Class 5A, Section 3. The two teams met in Lake Conference play Sept. 11, when the Lightning prevailed 13-10 in overtime.

Both teams have put up quite a bit more offense since that game.

Eastview has posted a 5-2 record since its last meeting with Rosemount, putting up an average of 26.5 points per game.

The Irish, meanwhile, have put up at least 29 points in each of its last three games.

• Northfield continues its trek toward a second consecutive state berth when it plays host to New Prague.

The Raiders (7-2) defeated the Trojans 23-12 on Oct. 2. In that game, New Prague (8-2) had little answer for a newly implemented offense by Northfield.

The top-seeded Raiders continue to run multiple offenses, which were on display in a 29-8 drubbing of Austin last week in the Class 4A, Section 1 semifinals. Quarterback Justin Bardwell went 9-for-12 for 147 yards in the game while running backs Tristin Faust, Davonte Jacobs and Luke Reppe combined for 157 yards on the ground. Jacobs also threw for a touchdown.

BRIAN STENSAAS