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RaJa Nelson, Lakeville North roll Totino-Grace in Class 6A showdown

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 11/03/17, 10:30AM CDT

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The Panthers scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.



Lakeville North's RaJa Nelson (7) dives for his first of two first half touchdowns against visiting Totino-Grace Nov. 3. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine


Lakeville North's Miles Metkowski (44) carries Totino-Grace defenders on Nov. 3 at Lakeville North. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Following Friday’s 42-7 win against Totino-Grace, Lakeville North coach Brian Vossen pointed down to his black long-sleeve shirt. It had one word across the front — compete.

The shirts were made for Vossen and his team following the Panthers’ loss to the Eagles in the 2016 Class 6A state tournament.

“This year wasn’t about state,” Vossen said. “Competing was our goal day in and day out.”

A year after the shirts were made, Lakeville North took the single-word phrase to heart. The Panthers got revenge on Totino-Grace as Lakeville North routed the Eagles in dominating fashion, advancing to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.

For the Panthers (7-3) to get past the defending Class 6A champions, Lakeville North needed strong play up front.

Thankfully for the Panthers, they are led by two players up front with Division I aspirations.  Senior center Nate Boe is committed to the University of Minnesota. Junior tackle Bryce Benhart has offers from five different Division I programs.

Both Benhart and Boe were key to the Panthers’ game plan of run, run and a little more run. In the win, the Panthers ran 46 times for 260 yards.

The attack was led by sophomore running back RaJa Nelson. After starting the season as a slot back for Lakeville North, the sophomore has emerged as a force for the Panthers in the backfield. Nelson has six touchdowns in his team’s first two postseason games of 2017, including three in Friday’s win.

“At the end of the season, we were struggling on offense, and I knew we had to get the ball to (Nelson) more,” Vossen said.

Nelson has been a part of a host of Lakeville North backs that have helped the Panthers establish a punishing ground game. Junior Brian Curtis Jr. scored one rushing touchdown on 64 yards. Senior running back Ryan Dalrymple also added a score.

“It’s cold out. You’re going to want to run the ball,” Vossen said. “If you look at the past 10 to 12 teams that have won state, they’ve all had strong running attacks. If you want to get inside, you’re going to have to run the ball.”

Lakeville North attempted just two passes on the game, including one from starting quarterback Brennan Kuebler. The other came from Curtis, who threw a touchdown to senior wide receiver Owen Blascziek.

“I’m not jealous of his chance. I trust him with that throw,” Nelson said. “It’s great that the coaches continue to trust our group and continue to put the ball in our hands.”

For Totino-Grace (6-4), the loss marks the end of a run. The Eagles won their first big-school championship in 2016 and came into Friday’s game with a chance to have another rematch with Eden Prairie.

Unfortunately for Totino-Grace, its rush defense could not slow down the Panthers.

“Their (success in the) running game definitely surprised me,” said Eagles coach Jeff Ferguson. “I thought we’d be able to defend the run a lot better. They were a lot more physical than us tonight.”

Vossen said after his team’s win that defeating Totino-Grace “gets a monkey off” his team’s back. Aside from the 2016 loss, Lakeville North’s 2014 season came to an end at the hands of the Eagles.

With one challenge down, the Panthers will have another one on their hands. Lakeville North’s quarterfinal opponent is Eden Prairie. These Eagles are ranked No. 1 in the Class 6A Associated Press poll and routed the Panthers 41-13 early in the regular season.

But despite another perennial power on their hands, the Panthers are a group that’s excited and ready to take down the Class 6A titan.

“A lot changed after Week 2,” Vossen said about his team’s regular season loss to Eden Prairie. “We’ve created a formula that shows us the team we have to be. Our kids are going to give them everything we have.”

First Report

With three rushing touchdowns and only two passing attempts in the game, Lakeville North romped past Totino-Grace 42-7 in the second round of the Class 6A state tournament.

The Panthers (7-3) avenged a loss in the 2016 state tournament behind a potent rushing attack. Sophomore running back RaJa Nelson ran for three TDs and 126 yards, giving him seven touchdowns in two postseason games.

Junior running back Brian Curtis Jr. also added a rushing touchdown and ran for 64 yards in the win. Senior running back Ryan Dalrymple added an exclamation mark to Lakeville North’s performance with a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

Curtis’ arm also came in handy when he threw a 46-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give his team a 28-7 lead.

The Eagles (6-4) struggled to get past the stingy Lakeville North defense. Junior back Charles Kamara scored Totino-Grace’s lone touchdown of the night from a yard out. He finished with 22 yards while junior running back Carter Djam had 29 yards in the loss.

With the win, the Panthers advance to the Class 6A quarterfinals. They will take on Eden Prairie at 7 p.m. Thursday at Chanhassen High School.

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RaJa Nelson (7) dives for the pylon for his third touchdown of the night in a 42-7 section championship win over Totino-Grace Nov. 3. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

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