Totino-Grace, which hasn't lost a game all season, made it clear early on Friday that things weren't going to change in what became a 41-0 victory over Hopkins in a Class 6A playoff game.
On a first-quarter drive, the Eagles (10-0), leading 7-0, marched 99 yards down the field, taking just four plays and 28 seconds. The drive was capped by a 54-yard touchdown run from Gayflor Flomo that gave Totino-Grace a 14-0 lead.
Flomo, along with fellow seniors Ivan Burlak and Brady Bertram, carried Totino-Grace's offense much of the way against the Royals (4-6). The trio was effective running the ball throughout the game and combined for five touchdowns. Eagles senior quarterback Kyle Halverson threw for two scores.
"Those are my brothers," Burlak said. "We've been working for four years now, so we know each other and we knew this was a big game for us."
The Eagles defense was sturdy. Seniors Jared Florell, Nolan Neilson and Mark O'Donnell each had an interception in the first half. The Royals replaced junior quarterback Connor Fitzgerald with senior backup Morgan Holmes, but Totino-Grace made it tough for Holmes to gain much momentum. Florell got his second interception of the game in the fourth quarter.
"Our defense, they had key turnovers for us," Burlak said.
JACK SATZINGER
