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Mankato West's Nelson leads big win

By AARON PAITICH, Special to the Star Tribune, 11/11/11, 11:15PM CST

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The star quarterback ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more in defeating South St. Paul.

Every coach, player and fan knows the type of damage Philip Nelson can inflict on defenses. But it was Mankato West’s defense that would be under the microscope Friday night, facing a powerful South St. Paul offensive line and running game.

The Scarlets passed the test in the first half and then cruised after Sam Sura, one of the state’s top rushers, reinjured his left ankle and left the game early in the third quarter. He would not return, leaving the stage wide open for Mankato West’s star quarterback.

Nelson’s four touchdowns — two rushing and two throwing — propelled his seasonlong No. 1-ranked team to a 35-14 victory over the Packers in the Class 4A state quarterfinal at Chanhassen High School.

Both offenses began the game as advertised. Nelson peppered his wide receivers down the field on their very first possession.

“Anywhere I put it, those guys will go and lay out for it,” Nelson said of his receivers.

The quarterback then flashed his running skills by powering in for a 6-yard touchdown. Packers quarterback Harrison Rund responded with a 32-yard run that tied the score early in the first quarter.

A 38-yard strike to Hunter Friesen set up another Nelson rushing touchdown. The Gophers recruit calmly cut and shifted in from 6 yards out to give the Scarlets a 14-7 lead that would end the half.

Mankato West stepped up its defense after the Packers’ first touchdown, including a Friesen interception late in the second quarter and a big fourth-down stop early in the third quarter with the score still 14-7.

“They definitely pulled in some momentum from last game and brought it into this game,” Nelson said of his defense.

After a fumbled Packers punt return, Nelson would make them pay with 12- and 15-yard touchdown passes to Friesen in the third quarter. Tyler Resner joined in the scoring with a 29-yard rushing touchdown to to ensure the Scarlets’ return to the Metrodome. 

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