Game recap: The Northfield Raiders took advantage of some early mistakes by the Chaska Hawks and superior play from their front seven to build a 21-0 first quarter lead. Northfield quarterback Tommy McDonald’s mastery of the option game and accurate short passes kept the visiting Chaska defense on its heels and at arm’s length. McDonald threw for four touchdown passes and ran for a fifth to lead the Raiders offense. Defensively Northfield held down an explosive Chaska passing game and quarterback Justin Arnold.

Key of the game: Leading 28-14 early in the third quarter, Northfield was pinned inside its own 10-yard line. Against a strong wind, the Raiders ate up the entire third quarter. Although they didn’t get a touchdown, they got three points and swung the momentum.

Quote: “We ran the ball well, but the one play [on the third-quarter drive] that helped us out was Luke Harris cutting back, finding some open grass and I hit him there. That was big for us.” — McDonald.

One thing to know: This was the third consecutive playoff meeting between the Raiders and the Hawks. Chaska had won the past five matchups overall. Northfield has now won seven games in a row.

BRIAN JERZAK

Northfield took advantage of good field position and some Chaska mistakes to build a 21 point first quarter lead. Chaska would get no closer than 14 in the Raiders’ 40-21 victory.

The Raiders’ defensive line kept the clamps on Chaska quarterback Justin Arnold most of the game, but the same cannot be said of Northfield’s Tommy McDonald. In the first half alone he threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third.

A long time consuming drive against the wind in the third quarter by Northfield resulted in a field goal and was the key moment in the second half. McDonald finished the game with four touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown.

BRIAN JERZAK