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Bemidji eases past Panthers

By MN Football Hub staff, 11/11/11, 11:00PM CST

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QB Mitch Hendricks threw for 2 TDs as Lumberjacks beat Spring Lake Park.

The third time was definitely the charm. After making it to the state tournament the past two years only to make an early exit in the quarterfinals, Bemidji would not go home empty handed. Their defense put together an impressive display against Spring Lake Park and carried them to a 24-6 victory.

In 2009, they were quickly ousted by Sartell-St. Stephen in the first round by a three score margin. Last year they lost in a close one to Rogers by just three points. This year they made sure they could go back home with their heads held high.

“These kids have been here before, they’re a little more seasoned.” Said Bemidji Head Coach Troy Hendricks. “They didn’t want to stop at the quarterfinals anymore.”

Starting quarterback and son of the head coach Mitchell Hendricks was going to make sure they got through this game.  He would throw for 235 yards and two touchdowns and even added one rushing touchdown of his own.

“Three years of hard work paying off.” Said Mitchell Hendricks. “There was nothing that was going to come between us and winning this game.”

-Jake Lunemann, MN Football Hub Staff

Game Recap

Senior quarterback Mitch Hendricks passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another to lead Bemidji past Spring Lake Park 24-6 on Friday, Nov. 11, in the quarterfinals of the state Class 4A tournament at St. Cloud State University.

Hendricks threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Mitch Brown with 9:17 left in the third quarter and sealed the victory with a 1-yard lob to Cody Rutledge in the deep left corner of the end zone with 3:38 remaning.

Bemidji advances to a state semifinal matchup against Mankato West at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Mankato West beat South St. Paul 35-14 on Friday night.

Spring Lake Park (9-2) scored its only touchdown early in the third quarter when quarterback Brandon Jones hooked up with 6-foot-4, 194-pound tight end Justin Axelson for a 39-yard strike up the middle, allowing the Panthers to close to within 10-6.

Hendricks, the son of Lumberjacks head coach Troy Hendricks, completed 18 of 26 passes for 235 yards.

Rutledge, a 6-1, 180-pound senior, caught five passes for 102 yards. Senior Carey Woods had six catches for 74 yards.

Jordan Thimmesch-Slepica had 63 yards on 11 carries to lead Spring Lake Park.

Dominic Hayle had an interception and blocked extra point for the Lumberjacks.

-- Loren Nelson, MN Football Hub staff

Statistics, Summary

1. Mitch Hendricks, Bemidji
A 6-foot, 160-pound senior with quick feet and a strong arm, Hendricks, the son of Lumberjacks coach Troy Hendricks, ran for one touchdown and threw for two more. Mitch’s perfectly placed 1-yard lob to Cody Rutledge deep in the end zone sealed the win for Bemidji late in the fourth quarter.

2. Dominic Hayle, Bemidji
A 5-9, 155-pound senior defensive back, Hayle blocked an extra-point attempt and made an interception in the second half as the Panthers attempted some trickery on a deep throw by halfback Noah Waiwaiole.

3. Justin Axelson, Spring Lake Park
The 6-4, 194-pound junior tight end found a seam in the normally airtight Lumberjacks defense, caught a short pass and rumbled 39 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter to pull the Panthers to within 10-6. He finished with two catches for 56 yards.

-- Loren Nelson, MN Football Hub staff

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