Prep football roundup: Brainerd ends St. Louis Park's state trip early

Brainerd's Ron Stolski is in his 56th year as a high school football coach in Minnesota. Obviously, when Stolski finds something he likes, he sticks with it.

On Saturday night, that was sending senior running back Charlie Geraets slashing at the St. Louis Park defense. Geraets had a state-record 55 carries for 265 yards and three touchdowns, giving Brainerd a 24-7 victory over the upstart Orioles in the Class 5A quarterfinals at St. Cloud State.

St. Louis Park led 7-6 at halftime on Ryan Klaers' 14-yard reception from Johnny Sorenson and an extra point in the second quarter. But then Brainerd's Max Boran had two interceptions and Izaak Hayes recovered a fumble in the third quarter for Brainerd (9-2).

The turnovers turned into 11 points and a 17-7 lead and Brainerd was able to play keep away from the Orioles (7-4) with Geraets' relentless running. The Minnesota State High School League said Geraets broke the record of 54 held by Trent Chromy of Cambridge-Isanti against Becker on Oct. 14, 2011.

"I'm a little beat up, but more excited about winning this game and getting to the dome," Geraets said. "St. Louis Park was a good team. We were able to keep running up the middle, and you could feel the defense getting tired."

Brainerd will play Owatonna on Saturday night in Class 5A semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Owatonna defeated Brainerd in the 2013 Prep Bowl in what was the final prep game played in the Metrodome.

PATRICK REUSSE

Nathan Traust scored two rushing touchdowns to lead the offensive attack, including a 23-yard run to kickoff the scoring. Blake Lane, Calvin Maske and Deven Psyck also ran for touchdowns.

This is the Patriots' second trip to the state tournament. Their first trip was in 2009. Pequot Lakes will take on St. Croix Lutheran on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Pierz 42, Proctor 13: The Pioneers continued their undefeated season with a victory over the Rails at Brainerd High School. Reese Kapsner scored the first three touchdowns for Pierz (11-0) and also converted a two-point conversion against Proctor (8-3).

Senior Jalen Jansen also rushed for two touchdowns for the Pioneers along with his own two-point conversion. Pierz closed out its scoring when Cohlton Boser returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.

Cody Hampton and John Pioro scored touchdowns for the Rails.

Minneota 34, Mahnomen 22: The Vikings (8-0) scored 26 points in the second quarter and got four touchdowns from Isaac Hennen to beat the Indians (7-1) in Alexandria.

Jon Starkey kicked off the scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run for Mahnomen, but Hennen answered for Minneota with his first two touchdowns on consecutive drives in the second quarter.

Chris Busche pulled Mahnomen within 14-12 on his 22-yard touchdown run, but then the Vikings closed out the first-half scoring with two more touchdowns. Thomas Hennen caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Alex Pohlen. That was followed by Isaac Hennen's third touchdown.

The Vikings, who are looking for their seventh state championship, will play Mayer Lutheran in the first Class 1A semifinal Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Ada-Borup/Noman County West 29, Braham 20: In a battle of undefeated teams, the Cougars rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit against the Bombers by scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the second half.

In the first half, junior Brett Fetting scored on a 55-yard interception return for the Cougars.

This is the first state tournament game as a cooperative team for the Cougars, who face Wabasso on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Ada-Borup last reached the state tournament in 2013.

Wabasso 53, Bethlehem Academy 14: Twin brothers Cooper and Colton Taylor combined for 29 points to lead the Rabbits (12-0) past the Cardinals (7-4). Colton Taylor caught a 42-yard touchdown pass, helped convert a two-point conversion, kicked a 30-yard field goal and added six extra points. Cooper Taylor scored two rushing touchdowns, including a 45-yarder to start the scoring.

Nick Altermatt, Tony Franta, Kyle Jacobson and Isaac Schmiesing added touchdowns for Wabasso, which scored the game's first 53 points.