Holy Angels, which finished with a 3-5 regular-season record, will get the chance to play for a state championship after the Stars upset mistake-prone DeLaSalle 33-21 in the Class 4A semifinals Friday at the Metrodome.

DeLaSalle (10-2) fumbled four times in the first half, the first of which resulted in an 82-yard return for a touchdown by Holy Angels’ Danny Hoffman. The Islanders committed five turnovers for the game.

Misfortune struck DeLaSalle on its next possession when quarterback Billy Hart left the game with an injured right wrist. Neither of the DeLaSalle replacement quarterbacks could muster any offense, allowing Holy Angels to take a 19-0 halftime lead.

Hart returned in the second half and led three touchdown drives, twice pulling the Islanders to within five points. But Holy Angels (8-5) answered each DeLaSalle touchdown with one of its own.

The clincher came with 2:53 left in the game and Holy Angels clinging to a 26-21 lead. Fullback Connor McCarthy broke through the DeLaSalle defensive line and ran 58 yards for a touchdown, effectively ending any chances of an Islander comeback.

Recap: Holy Angels took some lumps its Missota Conference schedule, wore them proudly and is now one game away from a Class 4A state championship. The Stars, who were 3-5 during the regular season, took advantage of five DeLaSalle turnovers and one injured DeLaSalle quarterback to upset the Islanders 33-21. Senior Adam Hoffman scored two touchdowns and his younger brother Danny returned a fumble 82 yards for a touchdown and threw a scoring pass (to Adam) to lead the Stars.

Key to the game: DeLaSalle quarterback Billy Hart left the game with an injured right wrist during his team’s second possesion. The Islanders turned the ball over three more times in the first half after Hart left, helping Holy Angels build a 19-0 halftime lead.

Quote: “I told our team that you have to get to the state tournament to win a state championship, And when you get to the tournament, you gotta have fun. We’re having a lot of fun.” —Holy Angels coach Ray Betton

One thing to know: Holy Angels’ running game wore down the DeLaSalle defense. The Stars had 27 yards rushing in the first half but finished with 209 for the game. Connor Moriarty ran for 98 of his 111 yards in the second half.

JIM PAULSEN