New London Spicer sinks league rival Watertown-Mayer in Class 3A semifinal

New London-Spicer has allowed opponents to score first in all four playoff games this season. Three of those early deficits extended to halftime. Not Saturday.

The Wildcats offense took charge against Watertown-Mayer and turned a rare halftime lead into a 33-28 Class 3A semifinal victory in U.S. Bank Stadium.

New London-Spicer earned its first Prep Bowl appearance since 2014. The Wildcats (10-2) will face Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton at 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

"We really emphasized getting off to a faster start," Wildcats coach Chad Gustafson said. "So, to have the lead at halftime was huge tonight."

Doing so helped dispatch Wright County Conference rival Watertown-Mayer, which defeated the Wildcats on Sept. 9.

Receiver Brycen Christensen produced three touchdowns, two on receptions and one rushing. His 17-yard touchdown catch with no time remaining in the first half put New London-Spicer ahead 19-7.

Watertown-Mayer (11-2), ranked seventh in the final Class 3A poll, won the first game 38-36. The Royals kept battling No. 9 New London-Spicer in in the rematch.

New London-Spicer quarterback Blake Schultz tossed his third touchdown pass of the game, this one coming on fourth down, to Gabe Rohman for a 33-21 lead with 4:45 to play.