Holdingford senior Nathan Brinker has been a fixture on defensive since his sophomore year.

However, a change in the Huskers’ offense game plan prior to the playoffs moved Brinker to running back, a position he hasn’t played in high school. He was a fullback prior to joining the varsity team, but hasn’t carried the ball in a game for more than three seasons. 

Brinker’s lack of experience at running back hasn’t held back Holdingford, and the change has powered the Husker’s postseason run, which now includes a trip to the Prep Bowl.

Brinker rushed for three touchdowns and scored another on an 85-yard kickoff return, leading Holdingford to a 35-18 victory over Pipestone Area in a Class 2A semifinal game Saturday at Osseo High School.

“(Brinker) is just a freak,” said Blake Patrick, a Huskers sophomore wide receiver. “We knew every time he got the ball something was going to happen.”

Something positive did happen nearly every time Brinker touched the ball. He finished with 164 yards on six carries, and his shortest rush was for five yards.

“It felt really good to get in the mix again,” Brinker said. “It has been a while since I ran the ball. Early in the season, we needed some help on the offensive line, so I played there a lot. But when the playoffs started, they decided to give me a shot (at running back).”

Brinker is listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and looks like the stereotypical linebacker, who has the bruising mentality to crush opposing quarterbacks and running backs. Brinker, however, proved to be deftly nimble and speedy despite his hulking presence, scoring touchdowns on runs of 45, 39 and 52 yards. 

All three were body blows to Pipestone Area, which was fighting to keep the game even in the first half behind the play of Brayden Baartman. The Arrows junior wide receiver ran for a touchdown early in the second quarter and threw another - a 36-yard pass to senior wide receiver Collin Moeller - that narrowed Holdingford’s lead to 13-12 with 12 seconds to play before halftime. 

The Huskers then delivered the knockout punch as Brinker returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.

That wasn’t Brinker’s only big kickoff return. He had one of 40 yards and both returns caused Pipestone Area to make an adjustment on special teams. The Arrows refused to kick to Brinker in the second half.

“He’s a special player,” Huskers coach Luke Mitchell said. “He was something else tonight.”

Holdingford’s defense had to do a little adjusting, as well. The Huskers had prepared to face quarterback Boyer Bouman, but the senior left the game in the second quarter with what ended up being a broken collarbone. Baartman jumped in as the Arrows’ primary offensive threat and his ability to run and throw created a challenge for the Huskers. Baartman scored his second rushing touchdown in the third quarter, but was bottled up for the rest of the game.

“The only difference is he was a lefty, and they rolled out a lot,” Patrick said. “Once we switched our defense up and adjusted to them rolling to their left, I think we played a lot better.”

The switch benefitted Patrick, who made interceptions to stop two Arrows’ drives deep in Holdingford territory.

“Those were big interceptions,” Mitchell said. “Two big ones when they are driving changed the game for us.”

The Huskers will play BOLD in the championship game on Friday at TCF Bank Stadium, the first time the state title games will be played outdoors since the Metrodome opened in 1982. 

“It’s going to be great for our players, coaches and our fans,” Mitchell said. “What a moment this is for our community and we just can’t wait.”

Nathan Brinker scored four touchdowns in Holdingford’s 35-18 win against Pipestone Area in the Class 2A state semifinal Saturday at Osseo High School.

Brinker returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and also found the end zone on runs of 45, 39 and 52 yards. He finished with six carries for 164 yards.

The Huskers advance to the Prep Bowl, where they will play BOLD next Friday at TCF Bank Stadium.

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