![Underwood's Noah Thompson runs the ball towards the end zone during the first half of a Class 9-man semifinal Thursday at the Metrodome. Underwood led Ely 21-7 at halftime. ] (SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE/BRE McGEE) **Noah Thompson (black, 26) ORG XMIT: MIN1311141326381090](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MSYLDSIFIT6Z5T2H4DL76SVURI.jpg?&w=1080)
nine-man: underwood 34, ely 20
Recap: Underwood's Rockets (10-3) rode a three-touchdown performance by junior running back Noah Thompson to top previously undefeated Ely (12-1). Ely scored first on a 27-yard run by Mark Heiman about three minutes into the game. Thompson tied it on a 6-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. His second touchdown, on a 13-yard run, came shortly before halftime after the Timberwolves fumbled a kickoff at their 18-yard line. The last, a 25-yard run, gave Underwood a two-possession lead heading into the fourth quarter. Ely never came closer than a touchdown after that.
Key of the game: Thompson, who scored three touchdowns on 31 carries for 183 yards. He accounted for nearly half of his team's 372 rushing yards.
Quote: "It's almost indescribable. Just knowing that we're going [to the final] is amazing. … Our game was just to get in front of them, wear them down and keep going." — Noah Thompson, Underwood junior running back
One thing to know: Ely senior fullback Louis Gerzin led the Timberwolves with 157 rushing yard on 25 carries. His 75-yard touchdown run in the third quarter brought his team within one score of the Rockets.
MEGAN RYAN
