Apple Valley junior running back Mario Lewis had his breakout performance Tuesday night at Park High School in Cottage Grove.

Lewis tallied more than 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns as the third-seeded Eagles upset second-seeded Park 39-29 in the Class 5A, Section 3 semifinals. 

Apple Valley coach Chad Clendening said he expected the Lewis to handle most of the rushing workload Tuesday night. 

"He's been a featured ball carrier for us all year. We kind of knew that in the playoffs, it might be time for him to break out," Clendenning said.   

In the Eagles' 31-7 quarterfinal victory over Henry Sibley, Lewis led the team with 80 yards on 22 attempts and had two catches for 37 yards to finish with a total of 127 yards - a mark he eclipsed in the third quarter against the Wolfpack (6-3).    

Apple Valley led 6-3 midway through the second quarter when Lewis broke through, scoring on an 8-yard run with 3 minutes, 48 seconds to play. On the Eagles' next possession, he recorded a 3-yard rushing touchdown. 

Lewis' 9-yard run on the Eagles' second possession of the second half pushed him passed his quarterfinal total and kept alive a drive that junior quarterback Noah Sanders capped with a 6-yard run on fourth down. 

Lewis' third rushing touchdown came on a 1-yard plunge early in the fourth quarter. He added a 20-yard score with 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter to punctuate his rushing performance. 

Lewis said his offensive line was a key factor in his success.   

"Even when things weren't going my way with my fumble early, I knew to keep my head up and my team helped a lot," Lewis said. 

Lewis said his offensive output was a surprise.  

"I wasn't expecting to score four touchdowns," he said. "That really doesn't matter to me as long as we come out with the win." 

Apple Valley's defense played a crucial role in the victory, shutting down a Park offense that averaged more than 300 total yards during the regular season. 

The Eagles forced two interceptions, both by senior defensive back Isaiah Hall. 

The Apple Valley co-captain snared his first pick on a deep pass from junior quarterback Brandon Alt late in the first half.

Hall made an over-the-shoulder catch at the Eagles' 10-yard line and turned to follow his blockers upfield. He returned the ball to Park's 43-yard line and Apple Valley converted the possession into points moments later on Lewis' 3-yard TD run. 

Hall, who has three postseason interceptions, said his speed assisted him picking off the pass.  

He tallied his second interception with 10:38 remaining in the fourth quarter when Brendan Beaulieu bobbled Alt's pass and Hall caught the loose ball around the Eagles’ 45-yard line. He returned it to Park's 3-yard line, setting up another possession that Lewis ended with a touchdown. 

Hall said performing well in practice gives him confidence for games. 

"Coming into the game, I was confident I was going to get picks, but I didn't expect to get two," Hall said.

It’s not a rare occurrence to see Hall handling the ball for the Eagles. He was second on the team in rushing yards in the regular season, finishing behind Lewis.

Lewis could have played on defense this year, considering he was Apple Valley’s starting outside linebacker last season. However, Clendening said it was crucial for Lewis to stay healthy.  

"In the league we play, you can only take so many hits. Whether you're delivering them or taking them on offense or defense, they take their toll. They add up over time," Clendening added.      

The Eagles (5-5) will attempt to return to the Class 5A state tournament for the first time since 2013, when they lost to eventual state champion Owatonna 32-0 in the quarterfinals. 

Apple Valley faces No.1 seed St. Thomas Academy (8-1) in the section championship game, and Lewis said the mentality and challenges the Eagles have faced to this point can push them to the state tournament.  

"We have enough confidence and swagger to go through these teams, especially playing (Class) 6A teams...we've been in those fights where we're down by 30 (points) or down by 21, and we know how to fight back and never stop," Lewis said.