3A quarterfinals: Glencoe-Silver Lake 6, DeLaSalle 3

The play is called "Ace 28 Sweep." It's not named for Glencoe-Silver Lake halfback Aaron Lueders -- who wears No. 28 -- but the senior was the one who ran the signature play in a classic game.

On fourth-and-goal from the 1 in overtime, Lueders took a handoff and went untouched around right end, giving Glencoe-Silver Lake a 6-3 victory in the Class 3A quarterfinals over DeLaSalle at Macalester. The Panthers move on to play in Friday's semifinals at the Dome, and they did so via the type of game few people would have expected.

"I've never been in such a hard-fought game in my life," said Lueders, whose right ankle was heavily taped after he rolled it during the game. "It showed in the way both teams played."

It was a meeting between the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in Class 3A, both of whom were undefeated. The main matchup question going in was DeLaSalle's offense against Glencoe-Silver Lake's defense, and both boasted eye-popping numbers. Quarterback Evan Williams came in with 2,167 yards rushing and 31 TDs to go with 1,200-plus yards passing and 10 TDs. Running back Reggie Gandy is a 1,200-yard rusher with 24 TDs on the ground. GSL, meanwhile, boasted seven shutouts among its 11 victories and had outscored opponents 373-33 coming in. Against three stout 4A opponents -- Hutchinson, Delano and Orono -- the Panthers held a 102-7 scoring advantage.

In a rematch of the last two Class 3A state title games -- lopsided finals in which Glencoe-Silver Lake scored a combined 98 points -- DeLaSalle's dominant offense and GSL's dominant defense canceled each other out. Perhaps the real surprise was that DeLaSalle's defense held up -- and then some -- against GSL's multipronged attack.

Williams badly sprained his ankle midway through the third quarter and never returned, but the Islanders' defense stiffened and kept the game scoreless on a wet field. DeLaSalle's best second-half drive brought it to GSL's 2-yard line with 1:21 left in regulation, but the Panthers blocked a field goal attempt to set up overtime.

In the extra session, DeLaSalle's Ross Barker made a 20-yard field goal to give the Islanders a 3-0 lead. The Panthers then took their turn from the 10, and after three plays they sat at the 1. If "Ace 28 Sweep" failed, DeLaSalle would be heading to the Dome.

"Our defense showed what it's all about," DeLaSalle coach Sean McMenomy said. "But they're a great football team."